Once a child reaches the age of 3 they are well able to grasp the idea of coordination. I like to start with eye hand coordination which also develops musicality in a student. Training young dancers to watch their hand movements is a good way to start. There are a number of exercises that are fun for the students and teach them awareness of the use of the arms in space. Here are some examples:
1) Sitting in a cross legged position or on the knees have the student place the middle finger and thumb together. Reaching overhead pick imaginary stars out of the sky.First one hand and then the other placing them gently on the floor and then try it. Reaching with both hands.
2) Sitting in the same position have the student clench their fists and then open them Sharply with a throwing motion. This helps them identify with pushing energy out From their fingertips. I like to have them make scary witches faces as they do it as That makes the children laugh. We even throw out a good spell to all at the end!
3) Standing up, give the children a scarf each. It is more effective if the scarf is made Of a lightweight fabric such as: nylon, chiffon or silk. Get the children to crunch the Scarf up in their hands so that it is hidden and then ask them to throw the scarf up In the air as hard as they can and then catch it as it floats down. Students love this Exercise. I also have them throw the scarf up in the air and then turn around quickly Before they catch it. It makes for a great game but definitely helps them to establish Eye hand co-ordination.
4) Again , in a standing position, have the child take the scarf in their right hand and Reach to the right with a swaying motion, using plie and then to the left, taking The scarf across their body, then spinning to the right on their toes. As they finish the Spin and face front they can switch the scarf to the left hand and repeat on The other side. It does not really matter if the child falls to the floor during the spin Because it is bound to happen at one time or another and also helps to show the Student that it is ok to fall when you turn. Sooner or later even with older students. They are almost certainly going to go down when trying to master the technique of Turning, so it helps them to realize at an early age that you can fall to the ground and Not get hurt. Children usually have a good giggle when they fall and that makes it fun. Coordinating the movement of legs and arms together is also important. I like to use hoops for this age group. Normally when children see hoops the first thing that they want to do is try to do the hula hoop action. I always encourage their improvisation. Because the most important side of learning is that there is a 'fun' element involved. There are some exercises that I use that help to develop their coordination and musicality. Here are some examples:
1) The first one is a game just like musical chairs but with hoops. I place the hoops Around the room and ask the dancers to dance around the room until I turn the Music off and then they have to find an empty hoop and jump into the middle of it. Each time one hoop is taken away so that one dancer is eliminated also. This is a Great way to warm the dancers up and get them moving because children of this Age cannot sit for very long without some active movement. The next stage is to Tell the dancers that once they get into the middle of the hoop they must do a plie Or a tendu or a spin, anything that will help them to focus on the connection Between them jumping into the hoop and adding a step.
2) Place the dancers at one end of the room. Give each dancer a hoop to hold in Front of them with both hands. Have each dancer step through the hoop and then Take it over their head and place it again on the floor in front of them. Continue with The exercise until the dancers reach the other side of the room. The action of Stepping through with the feet and then using the hands, arms and eyes to Coordinate the movement is a good one because it involves more than one part of The body.
3) Place the dancers in a line opposite each other so that each one has a partner to Work with. Have one hoop between each set of partners. One dancer rolls the hoop To the other and they try to catch it. When they do they walk on their toes in a circle Holding the hoop with one hand. The first partner can clap their hands and jump up And down while he or she is doing this. Then they can reverse all of the movement So that the first dancer has a chance to catch the hoop and walk around it on their Toes. The dancers are not always going to be able to complete everything especially At first but I have found that they really can get the hang of it after repeating it a few Times.
These are some fun coordinating exercises that your young dancers can learn in class along with their basic ballet technique. They help to keep the dancer’s attention and if you have any students that are starting to get a little out of control in class these exercises will very often keep them involved and active in a positive way.
