Dance, for the young child, should be a joyful experience. Dance class should provide a positive environment. The physical benefits of dance class are widely accepted, but the social emotional, and even academic learning promoted by a good dance program is sometimes overlooked. These views have been studied for the past few years by members of the Early Childhood Committee and UNITY, chaired by the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters president Debbie Werbrouck, of which Linda Luckstead has been a member since 1991.