ECD 3-6 yrs

A NOTE ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS

All instructors, who teach classes in our Early Childhood Program, have taken an extensive training course and have apprenticed for a minimum of two years with Early Childhood Educators. They are monitored & updated in new teaching techniques regularly.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DANCE PROGRAM

Teaching the young dancer the basic elements of movement and dance.


	Children learn the basics of dance through the use of specially designed exercises and creative movement activities, while improving their agility, co-ordination and strength. Spatial awareness, fine and gross motor skills will be developed in preparation for future dance training.


	Space and how we relate to it -- both as an individual/a member of a group. Eight basic loco motor movements, music, rhythm, beat and time, opposites and directions. 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 the basics of classroom behaviour and manners, which remains 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 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. Our "Early Childhood Dance Program" works actively in all these areas.


	*PROGRAM OUTLINES*


	3 & 4 YEARS


	5 & 6 YEARS


Children in this program are gently introduced to the classroom environment. Repetition, so important at this level, is a key element to the structure of the classes. Concepts taught include stretching the feet, balancing on one leg, weight transfers from one foot to another, jumping, skipping, simple arm movements and moving across the floor using patterns. Many types of characterizations are used to develop both movement quality and imagination. Students also start learning the concepts of counting the music and opposites.

	BIRTHDAY PARTIES

		For young dancers

At this level, children continue to work on the same concepts, but in greater degrees of complexity. Their ability to count the music is developed and they are exposed to a variety of different rhythms. Weight transfers are taught in more complex patterns and traveling steps across the floor are also done on demi-Pointe. Students are taught how to isolate parts of their body to the beat of the music to control their posture and arm movements.

DRESS CODE

(Dancewear is sold at our Studios throughout the year)

Body suit: Pink or Navy

Tights: Ballerina Pink

Shoes: Ballet Shoes and or Jazz/Tap shoes.

Gentlemen: Black shorts or jazz pants with a white T-shirt. Footwear: black ballet slippers or jazz shoes