Task 4D (2)

So seeing as my inquiry topic has altered since doing part 4D earlier in the module, thanks to some advice from my SIG, I thought it best to do some literature research on my current, more official topic; In what ways can children improve stamina, physical strength, confidence and imagination through dance?
Based on confidence, I came upon an Australian website; http://www.brentstreet.com.au/Programs/Petite/boost-kids-confidence Which states this; '..confidence in small children stems primarily from a mix of a child’s innate personality and a loving and consistent home environment'. [agreed by Scientists] This gives me the impression that as long as my dance school is loving and consistently so, then it will help to build a child's confidence. This is too broad an answer and also I question; what about the dancing itself?
Nadia Klucznik says that if you 'give children activities they love then gradually they will come out of their shell.' This statement then starts a lot of questions in my mind;

• What activities do children love?
• What activities can build a child's confidence?
• What is a common dance activity that teachers use for confidence building?
• Is there a very strong guarantee that these activities can boost any type of child's confidence?  
• Do activities in the dance class have to have dance steps?

“If you help a child develop the foundations of physicality and groups early on, then they will naturally have more confidence as they move on to their next stage of development,'

• What type of group work?
• Is group work one of the best activities for improving confidence, or is this just opinion? 

I found a couple of sites which emphasize 'music' in dance/movement being important in building a child's imagination and creativity:
 http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-education/article/1083957/dancing-helps-develop-childs-imagination
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=261

From the second link this got my attention;



'because dancing and singing are associated with art forms, we naturally assume that any activities involving movement and music will, of course, promote creativity. But the truth is, movement and music activities that ask the children to merely imitate the teacher or parent will do little to foster creativity.....Instead of showing, you simply present a challenge or question to which there are many possible responses. Examples include: "Show me how tall you can be"; "Find three ways to move across the balance beam in a forward direction"... Following the children's responses, you can issue additional challenges to continue with and vary the exploration (extending the activity), or you can issue follow-up questions and challenges intended to improve or correct what you've seen'
So;

• What activities to music improve imagination?
• Can these activities work just as well without music? If not why not?
• How could you add dance to the ideas mentioned from this section?

What strikes me about this is that it seems to be put very matter-of-fact, that these ideas do improve a child's imagination or creativity, full stop.  It does seem logical and straight forward to understand that copying is not prompting imagination/creativity. I remember as a child how much easier copying others was compared to thinking for myself, but being given challenges to be creative were a lot more exciting.
Going back to Confidence, surely a child (aged perhaps 4-7) with a lack of confidence would perhaps be too shy to take part in any Creativity activities. 
So another question is;

• Is confidence important for imagination or creativity activities?  
•  Do children with low self confidence have little imagination?

The first questions could turn out to be a very vital question to ask experienced dance teachers and the second question would be something to look at in psychology resources.

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