Introducing Dance and Creative Movement to Children Under 5

The gift of movement is one that is precious at any stage of life. The human body ceaselessly moves through time and space, from the moment we are brought into the universe to the instant we leave it behind. What happens to our kinaesthetic existence in between is uncertain, and more often than none, taken for granted. Despite this, the world is full of unlimited ways in which we can delight in our capacity to move, regardless of our place in life. One of the simplest ways this can be done is through dancing. Whether it be purely for joy, or out of desire to succeed, dance has endured the test of time and is one of the most magical ways we can indulge our bodies in movement.

Dance transcends culture and verbal communication to act as a means for expression at any given moment; it is in essence, a language of its own! The beauty of such a language? It is an inclusive gateway to learning that can be accessed and understood at an age before words can be spoken, and where the tendency to move freely is most natural, raw and unrefined.

Baby Ballet

The Benefits

The benefits of introducing dance and creative movement to children under the age of five are unparalleled. First and foremost, it is a physical activity that encourages young children to actively participate in a healthy lifestyle. Children harbour bundles of energy on a daily basis, and dance lends itself to be a wonderful outlet for engaging them with purposeful and dynamic physical activity that minimises sedentary behaviour and contributes to reducing obesity. The physical benefits of dance far exceed that of just maintaining a healthy weight however. Studies show that regular energetic activity such as dance can help prevent chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

There is also substantial evidence to suggest that dancing is valuable for nurturing the development of both gross and fine motor skills. Not only does it engage large muscle groups found in the arms, legs and torso, but it also allows children to develop smaller muscles in the fingers and toes, which foster an extended range of movement and coordination. As well as this, dance stimulates the enrichment of strength, balance, endurance and skill in a repertoire of aesthetic variation that is paramount at this stage in child development. It is important to support children in acknowledging their physical capabilities from a young age; the more opportunities children have to dance, the more they will become confident in discovering innovative ways in which to move their bodies and challenge their basic motor skills.

Whilst dance and creative movement are excellent mediums for benefitting all round physical health and fitness in children under five, it has its benefits elsewhere too. Participating in dance sessions is one of the easiest ways young children can make new friends and practice their social skills in a structured and safe environment. Research shows that encouraging children to move in a shared space provides a positive outlet to explore and learn about what it means to be human; it develops the ability to listen, cooperate, negotiate, be patient and demonstrate confidence, and is a fascinating means of inspiring children to express their emotions, thoughts and feelings. As a result of this, dance possesses the power to establish successful relationships and strengthen trust amongst even the youngest of participants.

Engaging children under the age of five with dance is also a fantastic platform for enhancing cognitive skills. Kinaesthetic learning provides occasions for children to follow instructions, openly think for themselves and test their problem solving skills, as well as improve their ability to absorb and process layers of information. Dance presents children with the chance to visually recognise and describe patterns, formations, size, shapes and numbers, and invites them to draw upon verbal language to identify, discuss, question, and appreciate movement. Cognitive stimulation in the form of dance ensures that young children have the very best chance to learn fundamental life skills that can be developed, nurtured and practiced as they mature.

Kinderballet

Choosing a Genre of Dance

Acknowledging the benefits of dance is the first step in successfully engaging small children with organised and structured movement. Selecting an appropriate genre of dance to introduce them to is the next step! It is essential to encourage children under the age of five to explore and be curious about a variety of dance styles, in order for them to seek out what inspires, motivates, and captivates their attention most. Fortunately, there are a vast amount of options available to suit all interests. Some may gravitate towards the delicacy and grace of Classical Ballet, whereas others may be enthralled by the rhythmic beats and spectrum of sound found in Tap dance. The dynamic and colourful nature of Modern and Jazz dance may appeal to some, while the funky qualities of Street Dance and Hip-Hop may fascinate others more!

It doesn’t stop there, either. Children under the age of five can channel their boundless energy into Creative classes, Ballroom and Latin sessions, and even programmes that teach Cheerleading and Acrobatics. For children under the age of three, Parent and Toddler Movement classes are a fantastic means for families to spend quality time together, whilst encouraging both children and adults to engage in an active lifestyle. There are even classes accessible for infants as young as one. Baby Massage, Baby Yoga and Sensory Music and Movement classes are growing in popularity, and are considered a wonderful method of developing the intimate bonds between parent and child. What is so beautiful about dance for young children in the present day is that it has no limits; there is so much on offer for little ones to discover, explore and excite in that it is guaranteed to be worthwhile no matter where their curiosities take them!

Finding a Provider

Locating the right place to inspire young children to be involved with dance and creative movement classes is fundamental if they are to benefit from participating. With the right research, it is quick and easy to source out dance class providers depending on what you are looking for. A great way to start is to look into what sessions local theatres, conservatoires, private dance schools and community groups offer. Many of them run termly classes, follow accredited syllabi, and are run by professionals who have a great deal of experience teaching high quality dance sessions. Alternatively, you may want to research into nationwide franchises that also provide dance classes in your area. DiddiDance, BabyBallet, and Stagecoach are some popular ones to name a few, but there are also recently developed programmes such as Move with Peppa, that offer creative dance sessions based on the well-known children’s character Peppa Pig! Booking onto taster sessions and going along to open classes is the most productive way to start the process of introducing children under the age of five to the world of dance, and gives them various opportunities to sample what is available to them close to home.

One of the remarkable aspects of dance for children under five is that the large majority of sessions are inclusive. If you are interested in sourcing classes that are designed exclusively for those who require extra support however, there are many freelance artists who are more than willing to tailor dance and movement programmes to meet specific needs!

Diddi Dance classes

The easiest way to find out?

Be sure to research the values each company or individual artist upholds, don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you need to, and make time to gather as much information as possible. Wherever you look, there will be more than enough opportunities available for little ones to express their love for dance and movement, irrespective of gender, ability, disability or religion, and in the most beneficial way possible.

The Way to Inspire

Encouraging children under the age of five to dance and be involved in creative movement is one thing, but keeping them intrigued and enthused is a completely different hurdle to overcome. Luckily, there are lots of easily accessible ways to keep them fully engaged in the realm of dance whether they love to be out and about, or in the comfort of their own home.

Children’s ballets are becoming increasingly popular on both stage and television, with the likes of renowned ballet companies producing performances designed specifically for young children. The English National Ballet for example, is currently touring ‘Swan Lake’ as part of their series of works titled ‘My First Ballet’. An adapted version of the classic tale, the performance has features such as a narrator to help children follow the story, and is 40 forty minutes long; just enough time to enchant little ones and enjoy a family afternoon out! Not only that, but the company hold family workshops for children aged between three and six based on the performance, which is a marvellous opportunity to keep those little ones involved in dance and creative movement. Further North, the Northern Ballet company are also following suit, touring their version of ‘The Ugly Duckling’. It is just one of their many productions that compresses ballet, music and theatre into a magical live performance, that has been screened many times on the television channel CBeebies.

They’re not the only companies to create live theatre for young children however! There are numerous large and small scale professional works touring venues across the country on a daily basis; some bring well known characters to life through song and dance, whereas others create their own fascinating world of theatre and music. If you’re struggling for inspiration, have a look at what Disney on Ice has to offer in their action packed performances - you won’t be disappointed! All you need to do to be part of the adventure is a little research to find out more information. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram can be especially helpful for this, however simply vising the company websites should provide you with all the information you need.

Encouraging small children to take in the sights and sounds of dance in a theatre is one of the most positive and fun ways to introduce them to movement, however, there are still options available for those who prefer to enjoy dance from inside their own home. There are bundles of classic and more recent dance films on the market for little ones to see; ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, ‘Angelina Ballerina’ and ‘Leap’ are just some to name a few. YouTube is another useful tool to discover entertaining dance and movement video clips to share with children - all it takes is a few spare minutes, a space to move in, something to play a video on, and you’re good to get going! The more effort that is put into inspiring children to watch, become involved in, and appreciate dance, the more likely the chances are that they will reap the benefits when they are older, and come to love one of the most beautiful art forms there is to see and be a part of!

By Jane Savage