Teaching pre-school dancers is always a challenge. One of the most important issues is that their attention span does not last long and so in order to keep them stimulated the timing and structure of the class is very important. When I train young teachers to work with this age group I make sure that, as they plan their classes, they change the pace frequently and also change the levels of the body.
A mistake that teachers sometimes make is to spend too long on the floor or standing doing exercises or just not using the space of the room enough. Props also help with the creative and imaginative side of the class. Children love to move and so often that love of moving to the music is extinguished by unimaginative class plans.
Apart from the technique that even at this early age the dancers are capable of learning, it is important that we let them express themselves. If we stifle this creativity, it can sometimes remain submerged for years and generally results in them hating ballet and deciding not to dance. By training these young dancers well at an early age, we are paving the way for them to remain as our students until they finish high school and are ready to move on to college or the work force.
Here are some ideas on how to structure a class that will teach your students technique, love of music and movement and self-discipline:
PRE-SCHOOL CLASS CONTENT
1) Begin the class with either a welcoming song that gets everybody together or simple skips going around in a circle—just something to get the dancers to feel they are part of a group.
2) Have the dancers sit in a circle or semi circle on the floor. Make sure that you know the dancers’ names. Put the music on and get them to sit up very straight like a prince or a princess and then slouch like a frog. Let them get the feeling of really pulling up and then collapsing and understanding the difference.
3) Stretch the legs in front of them. Hands are placed at their sides so that they can maintain the sitting-up straight position. Point and flex the feet keeping the legs straight 4 times, then walk the fingers down the legs until they reach the toes. Recover back to the original position and repeat once more.
4) Sitting cross-legged, with soft hands make the shape of a circle and then take the hands to a prayer position in front of the chest, elbows bent. Repeat 4 times.
5) Sitting with legs in front, shake the hands for 8 counts, shake the legs for 8 counts, shake the head for 8 counts and then have everyone stand up and shake their whole body. This is a great way to get the dancers to laugh and to loosen up. Laughter is a very good tool to use when teaching children.
6) Now that they are standing, it’s a good time to have them form one or two lines to do their demi plies. I find that by standing in a parallel 1st position it is easy to get the dancers just to open their toes to a classical 1st position and then by telling them to open the window and close the window they get the idea of keeping the knees over the toes. Try 3 slow demi plies and then squeeze the legs tight, repeat one more time.
7) Tendus are next, with the dancers standing in a classical 1st position. Pushing the right foot through the ball of the foot to a fully stretched tendu, 2 piques tapping lightly on the floor, slowly pull the foot back to 1st. Repeat with the left foot and then both right and left again.
8) Now is a good time to get the dancers jumping. Use a double knee bounce and a big sauté. It isn’t so important whether or not they are jumping in a parallel or turned out position. What is important is that they use their demi plie and get a good push up off the floor. Do this exercise at least 4 times.
9) Walking on the demi pointe is next. Have the dancers walk in a circle high up on their toes. I use the imagery of putting on mom’s high- heeled shoes to get the dancers to walk with straight knees and on tippy toes. I also always ask the dancers what color shoes they are wearing, letting them use their imaginations.
10) Walking in retire or passé on demi pointe comes next with them, still in a circle, lifting the foot to the knee on each step, hands on the waist for good balance.
11) Now that the dancers understand that the toe needs to be at the knee when they skip, I like to have them skip in a circle, skip on a diagonal or just anywhere they want to go in the room. This is a good moment to have them skip one by one so that each dancer has a chance to shine while the others rest.
12) Swaying and spinning is a fun exercise to do with a scarf for girls or a flag for boys. Sway from right to left with the scarf or flag in the right hand 4 times and spin to the right on the toes. As you finish spinning and lower the heels, change the scarf or flag to the left hand and repeat to the other side. If the dancers get a little silly and spin to the ground laughing, it is all part of the fun and helps the dancers understand that sometimes when you dance you do fall and it is OK.
13) A final jump is a good way to end the class. Line the dancers up and have each one put their hands on the waist. Stand in front of them and give them 3 chances to jump high enough to touch your hand, which you have placed over their head. It is a great way to give them incentive to push up into the air and they always enjoy doing it and showing off in front of their friends!
14) Finally, a curtsey or bow for the boys is important to end the class so that they understand that we always curtsey or bow to say 'thank you' to the teacher.
Follow these steps or use them as a launching point to help you structure your pre-school classes. You’ll find that they are not only more fun, but more motivational as well.
