Dance is a series of movements that follow the rhythm of the musical accompaniment.

It is a creative
form that allows people to freely express themselves. It is a creative form that allows people to freely to
express themselves (Caslib et.al, 2018).  It is the act of moving the body in rhythm, usually set to music. 
It develops grace, agility, and coordination of body movements.
Dance was one of the primary methods of passing these stories down from one generation to another.
Early use of dance may have been a precursor to ecstatic trance states in healing rituals. Many of the
contemporary dance forms can be traced back to historical, traditional, ceremonial, and ethnic dances.  It
describes methods of nonverbal communication between humans or animals, motion in inanimate objects
(the leaves danced in the winds), and certain musical forms or genres. 

ROLE AND FUNCTION OF DANCE......According to Guha (2012), dance is an expression of self and
emotion. It involves the physicality of movement both bodily and facial. Smith (2010) emphasizes that
dance is a fundamental element of human behavior and has evolved over the years from the primitive
movement of the earliest civilization to traditional ethnic or folk style to the classical ballet and modern
genres popular today. No dance form is permanent, definitive, or ultimate. Changes occur but the basic
element of dance endures. 
 
Dance is for all people. The joy derived from participating in the dance of any genre and then physical
activity required provides the opportunity for the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle in today’s world. More so,
dance complements the acquisition of motor skills in performing a function by teaching or expression and
communication. Participation in dance promotes motor skill development and self-discovery, builds self-
esteem, engages individuals in a positive opportunity to interact socially, and increases cultural
understanding. As a form of recreation, dancing has been long provided fun, relaxation, and
companionship. 
 
Today, dancing either at a party or other gathering continues to be a very popular way for people to enjoy
themselves and to make friends. Most people dance simply to have fun or to entertain others but dancing
also serves many purposes. For many people, dancing provides one of the most personal and effective
means of communication. A dancer expresses such feelings of joy, anger, or helplessness without saying
a word. 

PRINCIPLES OF DANCE:    Dance is the art in which the human movement is the medium for
sensing, understanding and communicating. According to Edwards (2013), dance involves a heightened
kinesthetic awareness, a bodily intelligence and a sharpened perception of movement as an aesthetic
experience. It is a lens to perceive the world and a language which to communicate beyond spoken,
written, visual or auditory symbols. The following are principles of dance; 
* Dance is a kinesthetic way of learning.
* Dance develops concrete movement skills (body awareness, physical strength, 
flexibility, coordination, endurance etc..) that people need to live 
healthy successful and productive life. 
 * Dance involves the total self-integrating body, mind and soul. 
* Dance is participatory and encourages social development through practice.
* Dance develops creative and critical thinking skills through physical 
        and kinesthetic experiences. 
* Dance is a non-verbal way of communication and human interaction. 
 * Dance is a means of expressing and learning about the diversity of 
human responses, life patterns, culture and history.
* Because the body is the instrument human uses to do everything and to 
sense and feel everything, dance is a supremely relevant aspect of life.
* Through dance learning experiences, students develop self-esteem and
 respect for others.     
* Work habits developed in dance are directly applicable in life process.
* Dance requires self-discipline and self-direction.
* Dance can challenge accelerated students while providing positive 
experiences for slower students

VALUES OF DANCE:    Engaging in dance activities benefit a person in so many ways. These
endeavors promote the total development of each individual. The following are important values of
dance;

1.    Dance is a highly educational activity that provides with knowledge and information about
other people’s folklore, superstitions, legends, rituals, customs, celebrations, and festivals. It
also provides us with clues to the temperaments, points of view, and philosophy of other
people. 
 
2.  Dance is a part of our culture and its inclusion in the Physical Education Program will help
preserve social customs and traditions by passing them along from one generation to
another. 
   3. Dance is a splendid medium for the development of muscular endurance, strength, flexibility,
and organic vigor.
    4. Important attitudes and social learning can be promoted through a well-conducted program of
dance activities. To be at ease with the opposite sex, to learn social graces, and to make common elements
of courtesy a practice is an important goal of a dance.  
    5. Dance activities offer good opportunities for incidental and direct teaching in posture which
can result in the development of grace and poise.