Dance can give an incredible sense of well-being and releases built up tension and stress in the body. It links the mind to the body and allows one to physically connect to the rhythm and beat of the music. There is something primal about dance that spans time and place, as it has its sacred role in every culture of mankind.
Introducing children to dance and movement at a young age gives huge benefits for a growing child. It helps them to develop and mature both physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively, although the relationship of physical movement to human development has only just begun to be explored and appreciated.
Creative Dance
Creative Dance is a unique style of dance for children, which aims at allowing each child to explore free expression rather than follow specific technique-based dance moves. Unlike many other styles popular now, such as Ballet, Jazz or tap dancing, it is less structured, so can be enjoyed by children as young as two.
Creative dance teacher and mother Bria Price-Robertson says that this style of dance is a contemporary approach, which uses drama and many different props in its play-style approach. Each lesson has a different theme, which is echoed in the music played and the curious objects provided. Guided by the teacher, the children explore the room and props and use them to inspire movement, dance, and also moments of stillness. The various themes explored inspire creativity through the interaction of attractive and colourful props. Some themes explore a connection with nature, such as the different seasons or environments. In a previous class, a winter wonderland of ice and snow was re-created in the room; in another it was exploring colour and light.
