A POP star is on a mission to get children dancing amid fears for their wellbeing after lockdown.

Pussycat Dolls singer, Kimberly Wyatt, says that dance for young children can be a major boost to confidence and good health, both mentally and physically.

Nursery provider Busy Bees in Brighton has joined forces with Kimberly and the pair have unveiled a dance class programme for young children across the city.

The move comes after they found that more than half of UK parents are concerned about the negative impact of lockdown on their children.

Kimberly commented on the partnership: “I’m thrilled to have partnered with Busy Bees to launch the Tiny Dancers programme. Dance is hugely beneficial in getting children moving, laughing and feeling good, which is why it’s the perfect activity to support wellbeing.

“Dance is both universal and inclusive, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it, which is why it’s so fantastic for the early years. It’s also a wonderful tool for exploring imagination and forming connections with others – when everyone’s dancing together and sharing that immersive moment, it helps to build relationships and break the ice, which can sometimes be difficult for young children when meeting new people.”

Busy Bees, which has centres in Brighton, Hove and Lewes, has decided to implement the new sessions after finding that 78 per cent of parents in Brighton with children under four are concerned about the lack of time their child has spent playing with peers of their own age.

The Argus: The Pussycat Dolls in 2008. Photo: Yui Mok/PAThe Pussycat Dolls in 2008. Photo: Yui Mok/PA

Filled with "engaging, easy and imaginative" dance activities, the programme aims to help children to burn off any nervous energy, have fun, and make new friends in the process – ultimately making the settling in period easier.

Deena Billings, Early Years expert at Busy Bees, which carried out the study said: “There is no doubt the pandemic has had an impact on the nation’s children, and we understand that there’s an increased need for childcare providers, such as ourselves, to ensure we are supporting their wellbeing.

“For children under five, the opportunity to do this comes in the form of play, and we have a number of programmes at Busy Bees that help to promote wellbeing, including yoga, dance and music games. The ‘Tiny Dancers’ initiative will provide yet another tool for us support children as they begin to join our nurseries for the first time, and we’re delighted to make this available to all childcare providers and families in the UK to make use of too.”

The Tiny Dancers programme is available for all children, parents and nurseries in the UK to access. To learn more about Busy Bees, visit busybeeschildcare.co.uk

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