Dance is a fun, social activity for all ages that helps improve coordination, rhythm, flexibility, and various muscle groups throughout the body. Dance classes are usually fast-paced and can include a warm-up, bar work, floor routines, and choreography. Dance is also a great social activity that can help build self-esteem, social skills and confidence. In addition, dance is safe and easy on the joints.
The goal of a dance lesson may be to introduce new steps or a complete dance, or it can be to teach students how to perform for peers and families. Regardless of the goal, it is important to set class expectations and boundaries during the first lesson.
For example, teachers should explain that learning a dance will take practice and patience. They can also use visual cues like videos or having the children perform the dance for themselves to help them understand how their movements should look. It is also helpful to have a theme for the dance to keep the students interested and engaged. For example, having the kids run across the room “to catch the Big Bad Wolf” or reach their arms up to hold a cloud can make it more exciting for everyone.
It is also important to remember that dance students are at different levels of experience and skill. It is essential for a dance teacher to respect their students’ personal style and accumulated experiences. An aware teacher will use this as a platform to build upon, rather than trying to tear down their student’s personal style in favor of their own preferences. This will lead to a more productive and happier dance class, as opposed to one that is full of frustration and anger.