Esmeralda Vidovich

KIN 447
Fall 2016
Philosophy Statement for Dance Education in the Elementary School
A quality education in grades K-5 should provide a safe, comfortable, and happy
environment. Teachers should help discover and acknowledge each students academic, creative,
and social skills. Teachers should also consider all learners and find ways to meet their personal
needs to reach student success. Most importantly, teachers should help students develop a
passion for being a life-long learner by using effective lessons that spark their interest. At the
same time, teachers can help students build a high self-esteem and respect for different
ethnicities and cultures. Overall, teachers should use learning approaches that are not only
engaging, but also hands on to connect students to the world.
The four arts in education are dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. The arts convey
knowledge and meaning that is not learned through other subjects being taught. Through the arts
education, students get the opportunity to envision, set goals and accomplish them, identify
alternatives and solve problems, and the ability to work collaboratively. As students study the
arts, they become better critical thinkers and use their human mind to its full capacity. The arts
are an important part of a well-rounded educational program for all learners.
Rhythm and dance activities create unique contributions to the education of children.
Children naturally love music because they can feel it both, physically and emotionally. Children
are learning to do new things with their bodies, communicate messages, and represent actions.
Rhythm and dance can help children develop skills, like participating in a group, gain social
skills, express emotions, awareness of movement and body positions, creativity and imagination,
and develop gross motor skills. Rhythm and dance can benefit a childs development in many
ways.