Kinderdance International, Inc.
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Children’s education; Franchising |
| Founded 📆 | 1979 |
| Founder 👔 | Carol Kay Harsell |
Area served 🗺️ | International |
| Products 📟 | Dance, gymnastics, movement and fitness programs for children |
| Services | Curriculum-based classes offered at child-care centers, preschools, community venues |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| 🌐 Website | [Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). ] |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Kinderdance International, Inc. is an American children’s dance, movement and fitness education franchise founded in 1979 by Carol Kay Harsell. The company offers on-site, curriculum-based classes for preschool and elementary-aged children, delivered primarily through partnerships with child-care centers and community programs.[1] Notably, Kinderdance has been featured in local and national news for its educational impact.[2][3]
History
Kinderdance was established in 1979 by dance educator Carol Kay Harsell, expanding into a franchise system in the mid-1980s.[4] The brand has appeared in various franchise industry roundups.[5]
Programs
Kinderdance’s curriculum blends early childhood movement, basic dance or gymnastics skills, and age-appropriate activities to support motor development and classroom readiness.[3]
Programs include:
- Kinderdance® (ages 3–5): a blend of ballet, tap, acrobatics, and creative movement.
- Kindertots® (ages 15–36 months): focusing on motor development, coordination, and language.
- Kindergym® (ages 3–5): basic gymnastics and fitness skills.
- Kindermotion® (ages 3–12): fitness and movement activities designed to complement school physical education.
- Kinderdance with Me® (ages 15–24 months with parent): early bonding and motor development through music and movement.
- KDJazz® (ages 6–8): fundamental jazz dance techniques with body isolations, combinations, progressions, and sequences.
- KDCombo® (ages 6–8): fundamental dance skills with more complex movements; music, movement, and education concepts.
- Kamp Kinderdance®: extended summer program that blends techniques and movements from the enrichment programs.
Educational and Health Context
Independent research supports the educational and developmental value of structured dance programs for children. An after-school dance and lifestyle education program in New York City was shown to reduce body mass index percentiles, improve endurance, and lower risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes among elementary-school children, indicating a role in combating childhood obesity.[6]
Systematic reviews indicate that dance classes significantly enhance preschoolers’ balance and coordination, key motor skills that underpin later physical activity.[7]
Other studies suggest that participation in dance fosters socio-emotional growth, increasing pro-social behavior and reducing aggression and shyness in young children.[8]
Franchise Model
Kinderdance operates as a business-format franchise. Franchisees typically conduct classes in existing childcare centers, preschools, elementary schools, and community venues rather than in standalone studios.[9]
References
- ↑ "Kinderdance helps develop movement". Scripps Ranch News. April 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ↑ Lane, Donna (September 6, 2006). "Dancing Their Way Into Shape". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Kinderdance introduces fun learning through dance". Inside Nova. May 7, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ↑ "Franchise – Kinderdance Expands Training Facilities". Entrepreneur. November 13, 2002. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ↑ "The Top 10 Children's Fitness Franchises". Entrepreneur. January 13, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ↑ Hogg, J.; Diaz, A.; Del Cid, M.; Mueller, C.; Lipman, E. G.; Cheruvu, S.; Chiu, Y. L.; Vogiatzi, M.; Nimkarn, S. (2012). "An after-school dance and lifestyle education program reduces risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in elementary school children". Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism. 25 (5–6): 509–516. doi:10.1515/jpem-2012-0027. PMC 3897259. PMID 22876547.
- ↑ González-Devesa, D.; Blanco-Martínez, N.; Varela, S.; Ayán-Pérez, C. (2025). "Effects of Dance Programs on Fundamental Motor Skills in Preschool Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Journal of Dance Medicine & Science : Official Publication of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. doi:10.1177/1089313X251332424. PMID 40219825 Check
|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ Kotaman, Hüseyin; i̇Nceoğlu, Seval Ördek; Kotaman, Şeyma (2024). "Dancing program and young children's social development". Current Psychology. 43 (21): 19171–19179. doi:10.1007/s12144-024-05730-1. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ↑ "The Top 100 Franchises for Less Than $50,000 in 2020". Entrepreneur. April 6, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
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