Dance education model to improve mental, physical well-being of children with disabilities

MELBOURNE: Monash University’s AllPlay Dance program is spearheading a groundbreaking approach to inclusive dance education, improving the mental and physical well-being of children with disabilities in Australia and, for the first time, China.
In partnership with the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, China’s sole professional dance institution, this initiative will expand access to inclusive dance for children with disabilities beyond Australian borders.
This transformative project is backed by a $1.7 million donation from the Moose Happy Kids Foundation, led by philanthropist Manny Stul. Over the next five years, the funding will scale the program in China, reaching more children and families. Additionally, a $1 million grant from the Australian Department of Social Services will fuel domestic growth through its Social and Community Participation program.
The AllPlay initiative, developed within Monash University’s School of Psychological Sciences, integrates science and creativity to dismantle barriers faced by children with disabilities. Over 300,000 children have already benefited through its various programs, including AllPlay Footy, AllPlay Learn, and AllPlay Dance.
Professor Nicole Rinehart, an expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, and Dr. Olivia Millard, a senior lecturer in dance, co-created the program to offer evidence-based resources and inclusive training for teachers and families. “Expanding AllPlay Dance to China is a remarkable milestone in our mission to empower children worldwide,” said Professor Rinehart.
Philanthropist Manny Stul praised the program’s impact. “As the founding partner of AllPlay, we’ve witnessed its incredible ability to transform lives. Seeing this vision now extend to China fills us with immense pride,” he said.
Dance offers unique community-based benefits for children with disabilities, serving as a complement to traditional clinical interventions. It provides physical, psychological, and social advantages, helping children overcome participation barriers tied to cognitive, physical, or social challenges.
The program’s influence extends to Melbourne’s Giant Steps School, a specialist institution for children with autism. Principal Davina Bate described it as “a beacon of joy, engagement, and connection.”
Looking ahead, the Beijing Dance Academy will train a new generation of AllPlay Dance mentors, who will integrate inclusive dance practices into Chinese communities.
By combining clinical expertise with creative expression, AllPlay Dance is paving the way for a more inclusive future, one step at a time.