Building Dancers From The Ground UP
"If I could just have parents understand that what we're doing in preschool dance classes is more than just playing, they would be more committed to their children's dance education." That statement, or a similar one has been the cry of thousands of dance educators. It is difficult to have parents, who are making the decisions and the financial commitment that goes along with it, to appreciate the many educational advantages provided by dance at an early age. Likewise, there are programs that are merely "watered down" technique classes that are inappropriate to establish the love of movement in a preschool student or classes taught by young, inexperienced assistants who are unequipped to deal with the preschool learning process.
These are just some of the circumstances taken into consideration by the committee of Early Childhood Education in Dance by UNITY. As a coalition of dance organizations, UNITY saw the need for guidelines in this area that would not obstruct established methods but instead, provide a pathway that would allow for a variety of approaches.
The committee was represented by private sector, K-12 and higher ed participants. The result was a set of goals and a philosophy for Early Childhood Education in Dance that is non-limiting. UNITY member organizations have adopted the goals and philosophy and are now seeking to outreach beyond dance organizations.
The UNITY Goals for Dance in Early Childhood include:
1. Love of moving and dancing
2. Appreciate and understand the art of dance.
3. Create a positive experience from which to learn and grow.
4. Develop physical skills that are age appropriate.
5. Develop social skills:
a. to participate and share within a group b. to .lead and follow
c. to appreciate the work of other children
d. to develop an awareness of personal space and to respect the personal space of others
6. Develop Body Wellness
a. to understand and respect one's own body b. to learn how to move safely
7. Educate the parent and greater community about the importance of appropriate dance for young children.
The UNITY Philosophy for Early Childhood (2-7 years) is the following:
* Dance, for the young child should be a joyful experience. Children need to enjoy the process of learning dance. In short, dance classes should be fun. In this way, children will develop a love and appreciation for the art.
* Dance class should provide a positive environment in which children can learn and grow. It should offer a variety of experiences that promote physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth in the child. The physical benefits of dance class are widely accepted, but the social, emotional and even academic learning promoted by a good dance program are less popularly understood. A well- balanced class addresses the "whole child."
* Dance classes for young children should be child-centered. Children develop at individual rates, thus abilities and talents in early childhood are extremely varied. Curriculum should provide a sequential program that is appropriate to the age and developmental needs of the child. This will build the child's self-confidence, an understanding and appreciation for his or her body and a love for movement and dance.
* While developmental movement skills are important to acquire, dance for the young child should focus on creative movement Not yet inhibited by socially accepted expectations, their imaginations are at a peak. A variety of sensory experiences to stimulate the imagination are important Young children posses the imagination of the skilled artist They learn readily and deeply by applying acquired knowledge to solve problems in new and different ways.
* In order to achieve a balance, technique should be intertwined, respective to the maturity of the child. While it is important that young children be provided with a class structure that will promote learning, it is also important to provide nurturing for the individual development of the child.
* Dance for the young child requires an experienced and adept teacher who understands the individual developmental needs of children and balance this with organized classroom management. Dance for all ages is a joyous learning experience, but formal dance class for children under three years of age is inappropriate. Under this age a different class structure is advised; preferably one
with parent participation.
* Dance in early childhood is important work that provides lifelong values.
Educators wishing to participate in outreach for this project or for more information on dance in early childhood or the Unity organization may contact Debbie Werbrouck, Early Childhood Committee Chair, (dwerbroucksd@aol.com), P.O. Box 50-A, Osceola, IN 46561 or Patricia G. Cohen, UNITY Secretary, 453 High Cliffe Lane, Tarrytown, NY, 10591 •