Six Considerations for Teaching Dance to Early Childhood Students

Students when they can master their motor skills (Photo R.Dt.)

Damariotimes. For teachers of Early Childhood Education (or lower-grade elementary school students) in dance learning, there are six considerations that educators should keep in mind:

1. A Comfortable and Safe Learning Environment

Early childhood students always require a safe and comfortable environment, as this age group needs protection and comfort while engaging in activities. Therefore, the dance classroom should be clean and comfortable, with adequate lighting. The teacher must demonstrate a reassuring attitude and actions that genuinely convey a sense of safety. It is important for the teacher to be supportive rather than strict.

2. Experienced Teachers

An experienced teacher who shows care and concern is essential. A skilled dance teacher should master the material and understand the students, helping them build self-confidence and believe that they can perform movements according to their abilities.

3. Appropriate Music

The music used in dance classes should be suitable for the age and emotional development of the students, specifically music that can evoke kinetic sensations in early childhood students. Rhythmic musical stimuli can easily stimulate the gross motor skills of the students.

4. Comfortable Clothing

The clothing worn by students should allow them to feel comfortable and move easily. Tight-fitting clothes or rough materials can hinder movement and concentration.

5. Dance that Resonates with Children

The dances taught to students should be appropriate for their age level, particularly in terms of the movement techniques they are expected to perform. The cognitive abilities, visual perception, and kinetic skills of early childhood students are still very limited, as they also need to coordinate their body balance. Therefore, their sensory systems will weigh the aspects of the teacher's instructions. They can be very sensitive to the fact that the movements demonstrated by the teacher may seem foreign to their understanding and ability to coordinate their motor skills.

6. Fun Learning Activities

Early childhood students or lower-grade elementary school students tend to prefer learning in a fun, interactive manner, and in social conditions that make them feel happy. It is not yet the time for them to demonstrate personal responsibility, as they still rely on their peers. Thus, teachers must be sensitive to the fact that students often observe their friends' movements, which can lead to spontaneous comparisons of abilities, making the teacher's instructions less of a primary reference.

For those currently focusing on becoming dance teachers, it is hoped that the above considerations can serve as a reference. Perhaps there are better experiences to share, which can be done through comments below.

Reporter : R.Dt.

Editor : MAH