Dance is a vibrant and engaging way to captivate young learners, develop their creativity, and improve their physical fitness. For primary school teachers, teaching the principles of dance offers an excellent opportunity to bring energy and imagination into the classroom. With the right approach, dance lessons can transform your students' learning experience.
Why Focus on the Principles of Dance?
The principles of dance form the foundation for teaching this art form effectively. By incorporating creative dance techniques and focusing on dynamic dance routines, you can unlock your students' potential and make lessons fun and educational. Our resources are designed to support you with teaching dance in schools, helping students master dance movement principles while building their confidence and enthusiasm.
The 6 Principles of Dance
1. Travelling
Travelling is an essential part of dance routines, teaching students how to move gracefully through space. Activities like walking, skipping, and gliding allow children to explore their surroundings dynamically. For example, imagine a classroom activity where students pretend to tiptoe through a quiet forest or march boldly like explorers.
2. Turning
Turning adds flair to any dance choreography. Whether it’s a simple turn or a dramatic spin, these movements help develop control and coordination. Encourage your students to experiment with different speeds, spinning like ballerinas or turning sharply like superheroes pivoting to face their next challenge.
3. Jumping and Leaping
Introduce energy and excitement into your classroom dance activities with jumping and leaping. Whether it’s a leap from one foot to another or a high jump that reaches for the stars, these movements are always a hit. Frame the activity by asking students to imagine they’re jumping over streams or leaping like frogs.
Here’s how imoves can help:
Comprehensive Dance Lessons: Access step-by-step guides to simplify lesson planning and deliver engaging dance routines.
Creative Dance Techniques: Explore innovative activities to introduce dance movement principles and keep your class motivated.
Dynamic Dance Resources: Utilise videos, music tracks, and choreography tips tailored to suit all skill levels.
Classroom Dance Activities: Find ready-to-use activities that blend creativity with physical fitness, making dance accessible to every child.
Confidence in Teaching: With our user-friendly resources, you can feel empowered to deliver impactful lessons, even if you’re a non-specialist teacher.
Find out more about our Primary School Dance Programme
4. Balance and Stillness
Balance and stillness create dramatic contrast in dance teaching. Use these moments to teach students focus and control, whether they’re holding a yoga-like pose or freezing in mid-action like statues. These techniques also encourage mindfulness, an added benefit in the classroom.
5. Levels
Incorporating levels - high, mid, and low, into your dance routines creates visual interest and depth. Imagine students reaching up as if plucking stars, crouching low like lions stalking their prey, or stretching out on the floor for dramatic effect.
6. Gesture
Gestures add narrative and emotion to any routine, making them an integral part of creative dance techniques. Whether students are miming rowing a boat or mimicking a story character, gestures bring performances to life and foster imaginative thinking.
Unlock Your Students' Creativity with Dance
By understanding and applying these principles of dance, you can transform your lessons into unforgettable experiences. Whether focusing on dynamic dance routines or incorporating classroom dance activities, these elements inspire creativity and engagement, helping students build confidence and develop a love for movement.
For more tips and lesson plans designed for teaching dance in schools, explore our comprehensive resources. Learn more about our dance programs and tools or start your free trial.