When it comes to introducing young children to the world of dance, many parents envision their little ones twirling in tutus and pointe shoes, dreaming of a future as a graceful ballerina. While ballet is a beautiful and foundational dance form, starting with play-based learning and creative movement is crucial for young dancers.
This approach not only builds a solid foundation for future dance learning but also supports overall child development in a myriad of ways.
Sara Adams
Dance Nova Scotia Board Member
The Foundation of Creative Movement
Creative movement classes are designed to introduce young children to the joy of dance through exploration and play. These classes focus on developing basic motor skills, coordination, rhythm, and spatial awareness in a fun and engaging environment.
The Role of Qualified Instructors
One of the most critical elements in a successful creative movement program is the qualification and training of the instructor. Teaching dance to young children requires a unique skill set that includes an understanding of early childhood development and specialized training in dance education for this age group. Qualified instructors know how to create a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment where young children can thrive.
The Value of Continuity in Creative Dance
As Helen Landalf highlights in her article “Choosing to Continue: The Benefits of Staying in a Creative Dance Program,” continued participation in creative dance classes offers ongoing benefits as children grow. Each session explores fundamental Elements of Dance, such as Speed, Levels, and Directions, in new and varied ways, allowing for deeper understanding and more complex combinations of these elements over time. This layering effect enhances a child’s grasp of dance concepts and fosters their creative growth.
Parents often wonder if their child should continue with creative dance classes beyond a single session. The answer is a resounding yes. Each time a concept is reintroduced, it is explored in a new way, providing fresh challenges and opportunities for mastery. For instance, young children might explore levels using props one session and through body part games the next. This repetition with variation deepens their understanding and keeps learning dynamic and engaging.
Fostering Creativity in Dance Technique
Creativity is essential in dance education, as emphasized by Anne Green Gilbert in her article “Fostering Creativity in Dance Technique Class.” Incorporating creative elements into dance technique classes helps develop innovative choreographers, fluent dance writers, and curious audience members. Creative dance instruction goes beyond mastering steps and memorizing combinations; it encourages exploration, problem-solving, and risk-taking.
Starting class with a varied developmental warm-up helps dancers become more articulate and expressive. Varying the warm-up by exploring different levels, spatial directions, rhythms, and speeds fosters creativity. Structured improvisation activities during class allow dancers to recuperate and explore movement in innovative ways, enhancing their fluency and creative complexity.
Encouraging dancers to reflect on their feelings, knowledge, and skill development through various modes, such as movement, verbal sharing, journaling, or drawing, fosters curiosity and self-awareness. By modeling creative thinking, teachers can inspire creativity in their students, strengthening their social and emotional skills and developing their imagination and flexibility.
Misconceptions About Play-Based Learning
Some parents may worry that play-based learning means their children are not “actually learning to dance” and are just playing. However, play is a child’s natural way of learning. In a structured creative movement class, play is purposeful and designed to introduce fundamental dance concepts in an age-appropriate manner. Children are indeed learning – they are developing the physical, cognitive, and social skills that will support their future dance education and overall growth.
Here are some key benefits of play-based learning and creative movement for young children, drawing on insights from Anne Green Gilbert, Founder of Creative Dance Center, and Helen Landalf, Author, Educator, and Creative Dance Instructor:
Physical Benefits
Through quality creative dance instruction, students:
- Develop strong and healthy bodies and brains through movement and exercise. Each class begins with appropriate warm-ups, includes strengthening and stretching exercises, and keeps the student actively moving.
- Increase body awareness, control, balance, and coordination. Children learn to align their body parts and develop their vestibular systems through varied movement patterns.
- Release energy through positive physical activity. Aerobic exercise creates a healthy heart and releases the feel-good chemical serotonin.
Social Benefits
Through quality creative dance instruction, students:
- Learn to cooperate with others through partner and group work. Activities encourage children to dance under, around, and through their partner’s shape, fostering cooperation and teamwork.
- Practice self-discipline through sharing space and interacting safely with other dancers. Children learn to navigate space and interact safely with others.
- Discover the value of individual differences and appreciate diverse cultural expressions. Creative movement classes celebrate diversity, teaching children to value individual differences and cultural expressions through activities like shadowing each other’s movements and discussing the differences.
- Learn a universal, nonverbal language that is inclusive of all cultures and abilities. Dance transcends verbal communication, allowing children of all abilities to express themselves.
Emotional Benefits
Through quality creative dance instruction, students:
- Become more self-aware by expressing feelings through movement. Contrasting movements help define feelings, leading to appropriate behavior.
- Increase self-esteem through positive and noncompetitive experiences. Creative movement classes provide a supportive environment where every child’s unique expression is valued.
- Feel the joy and satisfaction of expressing their own thoughts through movement and voice. Children travel through imaginative lands and express their feelings through dance, increasing their emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Intellectual Benefits
Through quality creative dance instruction, students:
- Acquire a movement vocabulary, both verbal and physical, applicable to all areas of a child’s life. Understanding the concept of space helps children move appropriately in various places.
- Develop problem-solving skills through the experience of solving movement problems. Creative tasks like finding different ways to move on three body parts encourage critical thinking.
- Strengthen the ability to listen and follow directions. Activities that combine movement and instruction enhance listening skills.
- Develop neural pathways through movement patterning essential to language acquisition, reading readiness, and mathematical ability. Research shows that perceptual/motor ability is related to acquiring more complex skills.
Transitioning to Structured Dance Forms
Once children have a strong foundation in creative movement, they are better prepared to transition to more structured dance forms like ballet. Their bodies are stronger, their coordination is improved, and they have developed a love for dance that will motivate them to engage in more disciplined training. Moreover, the imaginative and expressive skills honed in creative movement classes will enrich their ballet practice, making them more versatile and expressive dancers.
The Joy of Movement
Creative dance is not merely a stepping-stone to other forms of dance or athletic endeavors; it is a valuable form of expression in its own right. It offers children the joy of movement and an appreciation of dance as an art form. Whether a child continues to ballet, modern dance, jazz, or simply enjoys the creative process, the benefits of play-based learning and creative movement are profound and lasting.
Investing in play-based learning and creative movement for young children is investing in their future as dancers and well-rounded individuals. By choosing a dance school with qualified instructors who understand the importance of early childhood dance education, parents can ensure that their children receive a robust and enriching start in dance. Remember, the journey in dance should begin with joy, exploration, and a strong foundation – the perfect prelude to a lifetime of dancing.
(This blog post includes insights from Anne Green Gilbert, Founder of Creative Dance Center, and Helen Landalf, Author, Educator, and Creative Dance Instructor.)