| The bodies of young children are growing and | | | | |
| changing fast. So it is very important not to | | | | What do you need to look for in choosing a |
| demand more physically, and intellectually | | | | school? Having made the decision to let your |
| than they can safely manage. The pre-school | | | | child learn to dance how do you find a |
| years are a time to encourage motor skills | | | | suitable teacher? First of all take on board |
| through a wide range of activities taking | | | | that retired dancers do not as a matter of |
| place in a variety of settings. There is no | | | | course make good teachers. It is necessary to |
| doubt that it is beneficial to establish an | | | | understand the social and physical |
| interest in movement and exercise as early in | | | | developments of childhood as well as child |
| life as possible. Childhood obesity and its | | | | psychology. A teacher must like the younger |
| risk to health is a growing problem in many | | | | age groups and be able to strike a rapport |
| areas of the world. | | | | with them. The late, great Dame Margot |
| | | | Fonteyn said "The art of teaching ballet and |
| Informed opinion is that toddlers and | | | | the art of dancing are two different arts, |
| pre-schoolers should have a minimum of sixty | | | | not always achieved by the same person." |
| minutes up to several hours of daily, | | | | Teaching is a vocation and needs training, |
| unstructured physical activity. They also | | | | knowledge and experience. Those practising |
| should not be sedentary for longer than an | | | | must hae sound teaching methods, imagination |
| hour at a time except when sleeping. Perhaps | | | | and boundless enthusiasm. The person in |
| some children labelled as "hyper-active" | | | | charge needs to be able to stay in control of |
| actually are not but have parents who cannot | | | | the class without getting flustered or |
| cope with their energy levels. | | | | raising his or her voice unduly. |
| | | | |
| Toddlers at about eighteen months old will | | | | Parents should be allowed to watch the class |
| experience music by dancing with happy | | | | through a window or TV monitor. Their |
| enthusiasm. This does not mean they are ready | | | | presence in the studio itself would be a |
| for formal classes. They are not usually | | | | distraction. |
| sufficiently mature to follow the | | | | |
| instructions issued in a session, nor do they | | | | Numerous types of movement come into |
| have the necesssary physical control. We must | | | | consideration for example as already |
| remember that children develop at different | | | | mentioned ballet,and jazz, also |
| rates. | | | | improvisational, rhythmic gymnastics (a |
| | | | combination of dance and gymnastics) and tap |
| Reputable schools will not usually take | | | | dance to name but a few. |
| little ones for ballet or tap until they are | | | | |
| three or four years old. All instruction in | | | | What are the benefits for young children who |
| dance forms such as ballet, tap and jazz | | | | attend dance classes? They learn such skills |
| should directly relate to the childs physical | | | | are listening carefully and not talking while |
| development. Physical development and | | | | instructions are being given. Furthermore |
| chronological age do not necessarily go hand | | | | they also learn to be a member of a group and |
| in hand. | | | | to take turns. Classes offer the opportuity |
| | | | to move to a beat, increase musicality and |
| The one to two year old can safely attend | | | | the use of the imagination. Those taking part |
| "Mommy and Me" sessions where they have the | | | | learn to express their feelings and emotions |
| re-assuring presence of someone well-known to | | | | physically in a non-aggressive manner. Pupils |
| them. Some establishments allow two year olds | | | | are helped to become more familiar with their |
| to take part in a weekly thirty minute class. | | | | bodies and to use their bodies creatively. |
| There are schools which start with simple | | | | Sessions can also offer experiences of |
| formal ballet lessons at three and a half. | | | | different cultures. To this list of benefits |
| This is not necessarily a good idea. It is | | | | we must add physical flexibility, |
| easy to damage young bodies through faulty | | | | co-ordination and cardiovascular and general |
| teaching. In ballet the "turnout" if | | | | fitness are improved. Dance lessons are also |
| undertaken too early can cause problems. The | | | | a team-building and confidence-enhancing |
| "turnout" is the external rotation of the leg | | | | activity. |
| from the hip so that the dancers knees and | | | | |
| toes are facing away from the body. | | | | Dance classes are helpful to all including |
| Undertaking "pointe" (where the dancer rises | | | | children with special needs. The Children's |
| to the tips of the toes while performing | | | | Hospital in Boston in the United States set |
| ballet steps) work too early can lead to | | | | up a dance program for children with Downs |
| deformation of the feet. | | | | Syndrome. At the end of the program the |
| | | | participants showed decreased body mass index |
| Two to three year olds do not need formal | | | | as well as social benefits, improved general |
| lessons. They need creative movement classes | | | | health and increased self-confidence. |
| where they can let off steam, have fun and | | | | |
| use their imaginations. Pupils under the age | | | | To give your young kids the opportunity to |
| of seven should not take part in recitals. | | | | learn about dance at a young age is to give |
| Performing for strangers can be a negative | | | | them a wonderful introduction to the |
| experience for some. | | | | aesthetic aspects of life. |