Transitioning From August To September Takes Center Stage

Well, it is the time again.  Back to school commercials, letters from the new school teacher and the days of the week getting closer to September and further from August.  Some kids love this time of year and find it exciting.  Others, not so much.

I always fit into the "not so much" category.  Actually there is another category that I really fit into which was the "hide under the bed and maybe they won't find me" category.

Life transitions have always been tricky for me.

I learned while studying choreography that dance is really all about the transitions.   Stringing each movement phrase together takes artistic maturity.  Transitions are important and should be given the same amount of time and attention as the grand leap or sensational spin center stage. 

There are many types of transitions.  Here are just a few:

1. You can pause between phrases
2. You can choose a traveling step to link sections of a dance
3. You can add another dancer

The same transitions that are utilized in dance can be implemented in the life of a school child beginning a new school year, new dance program, new teacher, etc.

Make sure to recognize the importance of your children or students' transitions.  Have them pause and take a few deep breaths.  Maybe have them skip, jump or hop to the bus or encourage them to bring a friend to class (even if the friend is an inanimate object.)  If you acknowledge and create smooth transitions for your little ones you will help ease them gently and safely into new situations. (You will have less anxious, better behaved, more attentive and engaged children.)

When I taught dance regularly at a dance studio I made entering the space a sacred ritual.  It was something to look forward to.  Each child picked their own way of entering the space (skipping, twirling, crawling, etc.) Immediately they got my undivided attention.  They got the attention of their classmates and they had to to attend to their bodies and movements as well.

I don't hide under my bed anymore (I can't fit under my bed) but I don't need to either.  I choose the transition that best fits the experience (like pausing and taking a deep breath, adding a little extra hop to my step or bringing a friend like a soothing phrase, happy thought, or calming image.)  Taking on the new experience becomes accessible and enjoyable.

Explore transitions with the little ones in your life and see if August can roll into September with ease ( it can also hop, skip, slither, etc.)

Sincerely,
Stacey

Creating a Dance is as Simple as 1, 2, 3, 4

Creating movement can be daunting - especially if you don't know where to start.  So start at the beginning!!

1. Create a beginning shape:
• Choose a level (high, middle or low)
• Choose to make straight lines, angles or curves with your body
2. Choose a way to move from here to there:
• walk, run, jump, skip, hop, glide, gallop, roll, turn
3. Choose a pathway:
• You can hop in a straight line across the room, in a circle, or make zigzags across the floor
4. Create an end shape:
• It can be the same as the opening shape or a different one.

It's that simple.  If you are comfortable with these 4 steps, here are other elements you can think about:

1. Tempo: slow, medium or fast.  (Play different music and see how your body reponds differently to the melody, tempo and energy of the songs.)
2. Add a feeling state: sleepy, alert, confused, happy, dreamy, etc
3. Add a story:  Take words out of a story or poem and let that be your inspiration.

Here is one of my favorites by Shel Silverstein from the book Where the Sidewalk Ends:

Dancing Pants

And  now for the Dancing Pants

Doing their fabulous dance.

From the seat to the pleat

They will bounce to the beat,

With no legs inside them

And no feet beneath.

They'll whirl, and twirl, and jiggle and prance,

So just start the music,

And give them a chance-

Let's have a big hand for the wonderful, marvelous,

Super sensational, utterly fabulous,

Talented Dancing Pants!

Most importantly have fun exploring movement.  There is no right and wrong.  Creating a dance is like taking a paintbrush to canvas except your body is the brush and the space around you is the canvas.  The best part is you can take the canvas anywhere and you change the colors anytime you want!!

Have fun creating movement with the children in your life!

Sincerely,

Stacey

For more information on the elements of movement check on our website: http://www.leapinglegs.com/danceExclusive.html

Dancing In The Rain

Have you ever seen the movie Singing in The Rain?  One of my favorite scenes in the movie is Gene Kelly dancing, stomping, kicking, jumping, splashing, and twirling in the rain.  How many children can relate to this scene?   My guess is most every child can.

The thing about dance is that it is a kinesthetic connection to what you are experiencing. 
Gene Kelly didn't just stand still and sing about the rain, he explored it and everything he could possibly do in it.  For a child, this is how he or she learns.  How does it feel, sound, taste, smell?  How can I make it move?  What happens if I jump in it?  What if I splash really hard?

When I teach, I try to connect the lesson to what the children are learning in school or I try to connect to what they are experiencing around them.  This way they are able to connect what they are learning cognitively to what they are experiencing physically.

Well, since April showers bring May flowers, I thought about the wonder of rain and that iconic scene in Singing in The Rain.  For kids who are afraid of rain, thunder and lightning, exploring rain in a classroom or studio can be a safe way to become comfortable with all the elements of a thunder storm.

Dancing in The Rain Activity

1.  Come up with a the list of words that describe what you see and feel before a rain fall

•  angry clouds, puffy clouds, air blowing, sun disappears, rumble...

2.  Come up with all the list of words that describe rain falling down

• Splash, drip, drop, drizzle, plop...

3.  Come up with a list of words that describe what you see and feel after the rain

• Drippy, quiet, puddles, rainbows, sticky mud...

4.  Now you ready to perform your "Dancing in the Rain" dance.  You have a beginning before the rain,  a middle the rain, and an end after the rain.

You can even video your dances and watch Gene Kelly's dancing in the rain section of Singing in The Rain and then watch your classes' rain dances.


Have fun dancing in the rain with the children in your life!

Sincerely,
Stacey

In continuing participation in the Why Dance Matters event, dance matters because dance is a learning tool.  For proof, just watch a child dance in the rain!