Choreography & Creative Movement For Kids

Choreography & Creative Movement For Kids

    

wholeheartedly believe in creative movement for young children. It’s about educating the whole child, giving them the power of choice, boosting confidence–I could go on and on. I teach children 6 and under and this is what I love to do. Do they need to know the positions, sure! Do they need to know how to build a dance, yes! Give them variety, and you will produce well rounded little people!

A few years ago, I wanted to challenge myself to put on a performance for my young students–but not in the traditional way. I was confused in my beliefs that teaching 3 year olds to stand in a line and follow my movement was not what I wanted to do in my class. But after a while, I could see the value in learning a song, and repeating choreography week after week and then performing it on stage for everyone to see.

Space + Formations
This year I have tried to mix up the formations. For my 3 and under class I put a long line on the floor with 3 colors. I give them a spot on the line, and the color they are standing on is the one they remember. It’s a sneaky way to make sure they all have enough room on the line, and if they leave the line, they know exactly where to go when it’s time to go back to the line.
If you have more than one class of 3 year olds in the same show, this line works for all of them. It really works!
For 4-6 year olds I do a little line of white tape for their spot. They can remember where they are in space much easier and then I can give them a different formation. Like 2 lines with windows, or a V formation.

Choosing Music
I think choosing the music is the hardest for me. I choose the music, marinate on it and then change my mind. I look at the show as a whole too. I notice though that I choose music that is happy and joyful for this young age group. I also choose music that Dad’s and Brothers will enjoy. Engaging the audience is the most important to think about. Also think of your sanity, if you have to listen to it for the next 14 weeks, you better like it too!
Structure of The Dance
Once you have picked your song, write down the words. Teach the words and the movement together. I write down the words in verses and then see where I can repeat. Theme and variation! In this case less is more.
If the song has an instrumental section, I tell them they get to make up their own dance there. Or, even if it doesn’t, pick a section to allow them to leave the line and share their own dancing on the stage. They leave the line, and do chasse’s, leaps, turns, plies, and passes. After the instrumental part, I cue them to go back to the line to finish the dance.