Early Childhood Program

Our Early Childhood Program is specially designed to provide children between three and five years of age with a strong foundation in dance and movement. It teaches the young dancer the basic elements of movement and dance; space and how to relate to it, both as an individual and as a member of a group; the eight basic loco motor movements; musical rhythm, beat and time; opposites and directions; and some elementary positions of ballet. Integrated with these physical concepts are the intellectual concepts of self-awareness, creative expression, imagination, teamwork, and basic body/health awareness.

Through participation in these classes, students also learn basics of classroom behavior and manners, which remain the same throughout their dancing years. These concepts include learning how to take turns, following another dancer or leading the way, waiting patiently, working together with others, and having a positive attitude.

Educators now know that training young children in the concepts of movement sequencing, patterning, and spatial relationships lays a strong foundation for the later development of reading, mathematics, and other educational skills. Children in our Early Childhood Program work actively in all of these areas.

How Classes Are Structured

Classes in the Early Childhood Program are grouped into age-specific levels for 3 - 5 year olds. These classes meet once a week and last either 45 or 60 minutes, depending on the age.

Class structure for all levels is essentially the same, with the content based on age appropriate development. We begin with a brief sharing time and continue with a circle warm up that includes all major muscle groups and develops gross and fine motor skills. Simple movements, balancing, jumping, and stretching the arms are all building blocks in the art of dance. We also stress classroom etiquette and listening skills. It is our goal through stretching and strengthening exercises to form a basis for the barre work taught in ballet classes at a later date.

Following the warm-up comes different monthly objectives geared to the age of the students. The following concepts are taught over the course of the year:

• Direction (right, left, forward, backward, diagonal)
• Musical Awareness (responding to the tempo and mood of the music)
• Dance relationship to others (moving in patterns, around a partner, changing lines).
• Levels (high, medium, low)
• Tempo (slow, moderate or fast music)

The exercises in this section also teach balance, port de bras (arm movements) and various types of jumps that are the foundation for the allegro (jumping) steps of classical ballet.

The next section of class develops the loco motor skills—simply put, it’s time to move! Whether in the center or moving in various floor patterns around the room, we walk, hop, skip, jump, march, gallop, chasse, and skate. The possibilities are endless! Students learn to do this at slow, moderate, or fast tempos. This area forms the basis for all ballet steps that travel.

Young dancers who are consistently exposed to these types of activities are generally more creative in the choreographic efforts in late years and are freer in their movement styles. Besides, it just plain FUN!

For More Information about Our Early Childhood Program, click here.