Charming Community Spirit Thrives in Frederick, Colorado
Frederick, Colorado, is an emerging gem that beautifully harmonizes the charm of small-town living with the conveniences of modern life. Located against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Frederick provides its residents with a tight-knit community feeling that fosters genuine connections and vibrant local culture.
One of Frederick’s standout features is its exceptional parks and outdoor spaces. Residents enjoy access to an array of recreational trails and parks, such as Centennial Park and Frederick Recreation Area, where scenic views are a daily delight. Whether it's taking a leisurely stroll, biking, or having a family picnic, these green spaces promote a healthy and active lifestyle.
The town’s commitment to maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere is evident in its community events and local initiatives. Popular events like the Frederick in Flight Balloon Festival and the beloved Chainsaws & Chuckwagons art showcase not only draw the community together but also attract visitors from neighboring towns.
Schools in Frederick are part of the highly regarded St. Vrain Valley School District, ensuring quality education opportunities for children. Moreover, local businesses thrive here, offering everything from cozy cafes to unique boutiques, each contributing to the town's warm, welcoming vibe.
Living in Frederick means embracing both comfort and community at its finest, making it a truly delightful place to call home.
Building Confidence Through Dance in Young Children
Joanne Landrau
Dance is often viewed as a physical activity, yet for young children it plays a meaningful role in shaping confidence and mindset. Through guided movement, children learn how their bodies work, how emotions feel, and how effort leads to progress. These early experiences help form a positive relationship with learning and self expression that extends beyond the studio. Movement allows children to explore capability in a way that feels natural, engaging, and supportive rather than instructional or demanding.
In early childhood, confidence develops through experience rather than explanation. When children master a simple dance step, they gain clear evidence that learning is possible and improvement follows practice. This understanding builds belief in their own ability to grow and adapt. Each small success reinforces the idea that effort leads to results, supporting confidence in school, social settings, and other new environments children encounter as they grow.
Dance classes provide structure that feels safe instead of overwhelming. Clear routines, familiar music, and predictable patterns help children understand expectations while still allowing room for creativity. This balance supports both comfort and curiosity, especially for children who feel hesitant in unfamiliar settings. Knowing what comes next reduces anxiety and allows children to focus on participation rather than fear or self doubt.
Movement also gives children a language beyond words. Young dancers often release excitement, frustration, or nervous energy through motion when verbal expression is still developing. Physical expression helps children process emotions in a healthy, active way. As emotions move through the body, children learn self regulation without formal instruction, building awareness of how feelings show up physically.
Through repeated movement experiences, children begin to recognize internal cues and respond through action rather than withdrawal or disruption. This skill supports emotional balance across different environments, including home, school, and group activities. Over time, children become more comfortable managing their emotions independently, which strengthens their sense of control and confidence.
Weekly practice plays an important role in building confidence over time. Children notice when steps feel easier, timing improves, and coordination grows, even when progress happens gradually. These visible changes create a sense of achievable success that feels earned rather than given. When children experience success through movement, self-esteem develops without pressure or comparison to others. This connection between effort and outcome helps confidence feel stable and genuine.
This approach differs from environments that rely heavily on praise or competition. Dance emphasizes individual progress, helping children measure growth against their own abilities instead of external standards. This reduces fear of failure and encourages persistence. Children learn that mistakes are expected and useful, not something to avoid or feel embarrassed about.
Social development also benefits from shared movement experiences. Dancing alongside peers encourages cooperation, spatial awareness, and respect for personal boundaries. Children learn how to move together, adjust to others, and stay aware of the group while still expressing themselves. These experiences build comfort within shared spaces.
Within class, children practice taking turns, following cues, and supporting one another during activities. They learn how to watch, listen, and respond appropriately, which strengthens communication skills. These behaviors naturally transfer into classrooms, playgrounds, and other social situations where cooperation is needed.
For shy children, dance can serve as a gentle bridge into social connection. Movement provides a shared focus, reducing the pressure of direct conversation or forced interaction. As familiarity increases, children often grow more comfortable participating alongside others. Confidence builds quietly through repeated positive interactions that feel manageable and non threatening.
Emotional resilience is another outcome shaped through dance. Mistakes are expected, corrected, and repeated, teaching children that setbacks are part of the learning process. This helps children tolerate frustration and develop patience. Over time, they become more willing to try new activities and approach unfamiliar situations with curiosity rather than avoidance.
The physical nature of dance also supports mental focus and body awareness. Coordinating steps, rhythm, and direction requires attention and presence, helping children feel grounded in their bodies. This awareness often leads to improved focus in other tasks that require listening and following instructions.
A positive relationship with movement further strengthens confidence. Physical activity becomes associated with joy, expression, and connection rather than obligation or pressure. This foundation supports comfort with movement as children grow, encouraging healthy habits and a sense of physical capability.
Consistency in class schedules also supports emotional security. Regular routines help children anticipate experiences and feel prepared for what comes next. This predictability reinforces trust and creates a sense of safety that allows children to take small risks and try new things.
As children continue developing, movement remains a reliable coping tool. Dancing at home, in school, or during play helps release stress and restore balance. Over time, dance becomes more than an activity, it becomes a steady pathway toward self understanding, emotional resilience, and lasting confidence.
About the author
Joanne Landrau, owner of En Face Studios, began dancing at the age of eight and has never stopped. She is an ABT® Certified Teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum and is also certified in Progressing Ballet Techniques.
Workforce & Industrial Development
Located in Weld County along Colorado’s bustling Front Range, Frederick is emerging as a strategic destination for industrial and logistics operations in northern Colorado. The town’s position near I-25 and Highway 52 provides direct access to Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins, making it ideal for companies seeking regional distribution and supply chain reach.
Frederick is seeing increased interest from advanced manufacturing, warehousing, and energy sector firms, supported by the town’s pro-business environment and available land for development. Recent industrial park expansions and shovel-ready sites are drawing attention from both local and national developers, with vacancy rates remaining tight and rental rates trending upward.
Workforce development is a regional priority. Weld County’s Employment Services and the Colorado First and Existing Industry Training Programs help companies recruit and train skilled workers across manufacturing, logistics, and technical trades. The proximity to Aims Community College and Front Range Community College ensures a steady supply of job-ready graduates.
Incentive programs at the state and county levels—including Colorado’s Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit and Weld County’s business assistance offerings—help reduce costs for expanding or relocating businesses. Frederick’s own economic development office provides guidance and support for permitting, site selection, and local incentives.