Dance lessons can be an excellent source of exercise, burning calories without feeling like you are working out. Dance is also a great way to express yourself, build self-esteem and increase social interaction with your peers. In addition, dance is a wonderful way to relieve stress, improve mood and get some fresh air. However, it is important to remember that the dance lessons you provide need to be appropriate for the age and level of your students.
For example, if you are teaching beginner students, you should not start by introducing complicated steps. It is better to give them a basic map and build their confidence with simpler steps. Some people learn best with detailed step-by-step instructions, while others prefer to grasp the overview gestalt of what a whole dance, step or pattern is all about. It is important to have both detail and concept-oriented learners in your dance class.
On the other hand, if you are teaching experienced dancers, it is often wise to challenge them with new material. However, it is equally important to take their accumulated skill set into account and not dismiss it as incorrect or outdated in the hope that they will change their style overnight. They will justifiably resent your disrespect of their years of hard work and investment in their personal style.
To avoid these problems, it is often better to plan the dance lesson by starting with your end goal – what you want the class to achieve at the end of the term – and then working backwards to figure out how many skills, concepts, habits and values have to be taught to reach that goal. This will become your class curriculum.
