What unique contribution does dance make to a child’s development?

Dance is a great medium to teach with as children do not have the reticence that teenagers and adults have about their perceived public image.  Movement is crucial for healthy development and to coordinate both gross and fine motor development (Hoffnung et al, 2013)  It can also abate the increasing obesity epidemic we are facing in today’s Western society. (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2013 & WHO, 2015)  

Reflect upon and discuss what you have seen, done or read about and add any further ideas you have for creative movement and dance in primary school.

I loved the idea of writing your name with your body parts, so simple and so effective.  I have uploaded a video of me writing my name.

Dance, for me, comes hand in hand with PE, movement and activity.  As the Western world struggles with an increasing weight issue, movement is becoming much more important.  Not every child likes competitive sport and so dance should be another avenue to explore increasing activity and movement in our everyday life.  Cheong-Clinch (as cited in Pullen & Carroll, 2013) discusses music and the relevance to adolescents. Music and dance are interwoven as music makes you want to move.  If we could channel that desire to move when we hear music from our early childhood, limit our inhibitions and allow our adolescents to have the technical knowledge to create dance for pleasure, then this would surely help the obesity epidemic we are facing today.   

References

Cheong-Clinch, C. Music for engaging young people in education. In Pullen, D. & Carroll, A.

            (ed.). (2013) Adolescent wellbeing: Trends, issues and prospects. Hobart, Tasmania:

            ACYS Publishing.

Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, R. J., Seifert, K.L., Burton Smith, R., Hine, A., Ward, L., Pause, C. &

            Swaby K. (2013). Lifespan development: A topical approach. Milton, QLD: John Wiley

            & Sons.

World Health Organisation. [WHO]. (2013). Childhood overweight and obesity. Retrieved

            from: http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/childhood/en/

World Health Organisation. [WHO]. (2015). Global strategy on diet, physical activity and

            health. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/pa/en/

Dance

Through reflecting on the readings and the videos, what unique contributions does dance make to a child’s development?

I can see a strong link to HPE in terms of body movement, balance and well being, but of course dance should not just be about those things: It is a creative way to express an idea, thought or emotion (Deans, Meiners, & Young, 2012, p. 128). It allows students to learn in a playful and open-ended manner. In addition, students are learning basic dance skills (perhaps without even realising!)

If students can let go of any inhibitions (I'm thinking upper primary) and really let loose, they can likely see how fun and rewarding dance can be.

I'm also very aware of our digital and technological lifestyles, and students may not have ever 'moved' in some of these ways before. Arching, travelling, bending and balancing (and more) can all be explored through simple, fun lessons, and this can help the child's body develop by making use of muscles and moving joints in ways they may not normally experience.

Dance can also teach students about concepts such as respecting other people's space and bodies (Cone, 2012, p. 24). These concepts can be transferred to other areas of their lives, such as sport, playground play and general interactions amongst their fellow peers, friends and family.

Source

Dance is...

Source

Resources / Lessons

Dance Til You Drop (Commercial, NSW) - Provides a structured dance program for Primary Schools and Preschools.

TasDance - School programs based in Launceston, Tasmania. Teacher resources & DVD also available.

References

Cone, T. P. (2012). Presenting Essential Content for Children’s Dance. In Theresa Purcell Cone, Stephen L. Cone (Eds.), Teaching children dance (3rd ed., pp. 21-34). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Deans, J., Meiners, J., & Young, S. (2012). Dance: Art Embodied. In C. Sinclair, N. Jeanneret, & J. O'Toole (Eds.), Education in the Arts (2nd ed., pp. 128-144). South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford.