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Last Updated: Sunday June 11 2006 12:44 GMT

Dancing 'helps children behave'

Dancers
Dancing can calm down kids with behaviour problems and cheer up those suffering from depression, according to a study by Swedish researchers.

Boys aged five to seven with a behaviour problem called ADHD took part in the dance lessons, and their parents and teachers said they improved.

One boy who couldn't stand being in the classroom for 10 minutes was able to manage for a whole lesson afterwards.

Depressed girls who took part in the dancing also said they felt better.

The dance lessons started with wild jumping about before moving on to exercises which needed the children to listen and play different roles.

One of the researchers said the lessons led to the boys "playing with other children without getting into conflict".

She added: "It turns out that dance is a good way to crank up the energy and joy of living in depressed girls."




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