Children might listen, but what happens if no one is talking to them?

The dance industry has received a kick up the proverbial from Action for Children’s Arts vice chair Vicky Ireland, in response to their concerns over the lack of work being made for young audiences.

Speaking at the Children Will Listen debate, Ireland called on the sector to develop cross artform links and actually engage with children in order to strengthen the future of the sector.

She said: “You need respect for children and for dance, and then you need respect for dance for children. Part of the problem is that people haven’t seen or talked to children for a long time.”

Brave words for a woman surrounded by a room full of dance practitioners, but perhaps also welcome, given that she was one of the few at the debate actually suggesting a way forward.

But is it so easy?

For Royal Opera House creative associate Will Tuckett, Sadler’s Wells producer Emma Gladstone and director of London Contemporary Dance School Veronica Lewis, the problem goes much deeper. Namely that choreographers and dancers are reluctant to get involved in dance shows for kids for fear of being “ghettoised”.

If this is true, surely the way forward is to find ways to battle this perception?

If the lack of dance work for youngsters could see the artform falling behind theatre and music, maybe it is time for dance schools to develop a greater focus on children’s works within their courses for dancers and choreographers?

Or should institutions bump up the amount they invest in shows for youngsters and families, to raise their profile and lure in more choreographers?

Now that the problem is out there and the concerns have been raised, it is time for the dance industry to come up with a plan of action… or convince a few high profile choreographers to start a new trend.