Dance Homeschool - Online Education Dance

I’ve just spent five days at a dance conference with movement teachers from around the country. What a great experience! I was struck by the absolute dedication these teachers have to provide their students (all ages and abilities) with the best possible classes. Learning to dance is a skill that takes time, focus, dedication, and passion. Dance teaches children bodily and spatial awareness, rhythm, love of music, and much more. It allows children to progress through a series of skill- building activities to develop a body language that has far reaching and positive life-long ramifications. Dance works best when teachers take an integrated approach that moves the student from simple movement to complex, intricate, and often physically challenging, dance steps.

For kinesthetic learners, dance is a marvelous way to learn. Children can integrate movement into learning math, reading, a sense of direction, and rhythm, often reflected in improved academics. It gives children a sense of identity, and provides them with a sense of self worth. It also gives students a chance to perform, to become aware of costumes, colors, theatre, music, and beauty. Movement allows children to stay healthy and develop a life-long commitment to flexibility and fitness, as well as imbuing in them a sense of happiness and self-worth. As so beautifully stated by one dance student, “When I dance, I forget my problems; I feel good about myself; I overcome my challenges. I become me.”

I’ve been taking dance since I was five. I’m very grateful for the opportunity my parents provided, and happy that I never stopped dancing. At the conference, I gathered up all my courage and took some intermediate to advanced dance and stretch classes with some very good dancers. It was slightly intimidating, but very inspiring. It reminded me of how important it is to stretch, build strength, and keep dancing. I so appreciated being welcomed into the classes, and participating with individuals committed to teaching mastery.

I left this conference more aware of the importance of encouraging our students to engage in movement-based activities. I truly believe it’s never too late to start moving, and exposing our children to dance and sports is a gift every child should be given. I felt so grateful to the many teachers who had dedicated five days to improving their skills, learning new teaching methods, and discovering new choreography, their sole purpose being to inspire their students with the gift of dance.

Marilyn Mosley blog

The Gift of Dance

Links