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Facilitating Preschool Learning and Movement through Dance

Article  in  Early Childhood Education Journal · July 2007


DOI: 10.1007/s10643-007-0172-9

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Early Childhood Education Journal, Vol. 35, No. 1, August 2007 ( 2007)
DOI: 10.1007/s10643-007-0172-9

Peer Reviewed

Facilitating Preschool Learning and Movement through Dance

Riolama Lorenzo-Lasa,1 Roger I Ideishi,1,2 and Siobhan K Ideishi1

A preschool movement through dance program is a way to open the door to numerous
cultural benefits and opportunities, and preschool skill facilitation. Creating new contexts for
learning enrich young children and offer them different opportunities to understand and
negotiate the world. Inclusive curricular integration and parent and community participation
are important components of a cultural arts experience that deepen the childrenÕs repertoire of
behavior and responses to the world. Early childhood education practitioners are encouraged
to creatively explore their community and develop rich cultural learning experiences for
children.

KEY WORDS: preschool cultural arts; childrenÕs movement programs; gross motor development; motor
development; creative preschool movement; preschool dance; childrenÕs imagination; creative expression;
preschool curricular integration.

INTRODUCTION concepts through rhythm and patterns of beat and


tempo (Shilling, 2002). In addition to cognitive
Young children sense, move and respond within
learning benefits, creative movement and dance can
the context of the moment. Reaching, jumping, bal-
be a transformative experience that develops body
ancing, and hopping are experiences that teach chil-
awareness as well as personal identity and control
dren how to understand and negotiate the world.
(Graham, 2002). Children can attain a greater range
Movement experiences that are layered with creative,
of emotional feelings and cues through movement.
cognitive, social and emotional experiences facilitate
Children who understand and attend to a range of
childrenÕs understanding that movement has mean-
emotional cues can develop sensitivity to basic emo-
ing, intention and expression. Preschool movement
tions and use this broader emotional repertoire for
and dance programming brings a multi-layered
responding in the world (Boone & Cunningham,
experience to inclusive preschool settings so children
1998). Cultural arts programs that integrate motor,
of all abilities can experience and benefit from crea-
cognitive, social and emotional skills provide children
tive and complex movement experiences.
with layered learning experiences that deepen their
Physical movement coupled with novel pretend
repertoire of behavior and responses to the world. A
imagery can help with attention, speed, retention, and
multi-layered cultural arts experience also serves as a
enjoyment of learning (Sacha & Ross, 2006). Move-
framework for creating adaptations for children with
ment and music experiences integrated within a pre-
different abilities and interests in movement.
school curriculum can also reinforce math and logic

PRESCHOOL MOVEMENT THROUGH DANCE


A movement through dance program may in-
1
Occupational Therapy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, clude basic body awareness, counting and rhythm,
600 S. 43rd St, Box 24Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA. creative body movement, and language and emo-
2
Correspondence should be directed to Roger I Ideishi, Occupa-
tional Therapy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 600 S.
tional expression. Integrating these experiences al-
43rd St, Box 24Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA., lows children to learn at different levels and rates
e-mail: r.ideishi@usip.edu depending on their level of ability and interest. These

25
1082-3301/07/0800-0025/0  2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
26 Lorenzo-Lasa, Ideishi, and Ideishi

elements can be organized in three phases: warm up, are able to execute their newly learned steps in a
dance techniques, and creative movement. For performance at the end of each period. With props
example, warm up exercises prepare the body for such as ribbons and costumes, the children can take
physical activity, dance techniques demonstrate how turns performing for classmates. The benefits of
to control the body, and creative movement demon- ballet technique are not simply physical. Although it
strates how to modify movement with imagination. demands strength, coordination, and flexibility, it
The warm-up exercises should be a progressive also requires body awareness, constant thought and
series of movements aimed at preparing the body for concentration, and discipline. Ballet uses every major
physical activity. In learning the warm-up, children muscle group with a strong emphasis on core strength
can anticipate what comes next while realizing the and posture. This complete form of exercise builds
importance of stretching and warming up the muscles stamina, tones muscle, and improves flexibility
prior to physical activity. Table 1 provides ten through stretching. In ballet, children are forced to
examples of various warm up exercises on the floor create mind-body connections in order to execute the
and in standing. Having children count out loud with appropriate steps and positions demanded. Learning
the music, while executing these exercises, might also ballet involves dancing to a musical score; this as-
help with staying focused and involved. Many exer- sumes that sensory processing, in which the child
cises such as the ‘‘scissors’’, ‘‘butterfly’’, and ‘‘seal’’ must integrate learned movements with auditory in-
incorporate imagery in attaining movement and put, occurs in each child actively participating in
posture. For instance, before executing any move- class. Ballet technique is also taught in a very regi-
ment the children can be asked what scissors look mented, hierarchical and organized system. One
like. Once the children have the image in their head, cannot jump to a certain level without having
they are then asked to use their legs as ‘‘scissors’’. accomplished lower level techniques. This instills in
During these repetitions they imagine cutting pieces the child a certain discipline of repetition and prac-
of paper with their ‘‘scissors’’. The same can be asked tice. Thus, ballet technique offers many benefits that
before the ‘‘butterfly’’ and the ‘‘seal’’. This offers the are not represented in a movement curriculum and
children something familiar to reference during the that many children would profit from attaining.
recall process. Using creative representations during Extending the dance techniques with creative
‘‘butterfly’’ exercises helps to promote childrenÕs movement experiences allows children to modify and
imagination while using their legs as butterfly wings. experiment with movement using imaginary thought
They are asked to flap their wings and at certain times and creativity. Table 3 provides examples for using
they can bring their head down towards the floor and animal movements for expressive movement.
pretend to hide in their wings so as not be caught in Attaching an animal label to a movement using pre-
the butterfly net. These imaginary concepts help to tend play allows the children to learn the movement,
sustain the childÕs interest, and use of creative making the exercise not only a physical exercise, but
thought. Another example is the ‘‘seal’’ exercise when also a mental activity. Depending on the animal, the
the children are asked to show their tails. Once the children may also be asked to make sounds associ-
position is achieved, the imagery of a seal going in ated with that animal. The types of movement exe-
and out of the water dictates the movement. Using cuted with each animal involve different energy levels
the imaginary animal concepts demonstrates that that elicit certain expressions or feelings. For the
movement has intention. ‘‘rabbit’’, a child may be asked to wiggle his or her
Dance experiences extend the warm up move- bunny nose. Since rabbits do not produce a sound,
ment experience to the next level from body aware- the feeling is very quiet. The ‘‘chicken’’ makes a loud
ness and intention to controlled movement. Dance noise that children often find comical. The movement
techniques such as ballet provide a framework for itself is also comical because of its challenge to pre-
learning how to control movement. Ballet technique schoolers. Children experience laughter in falling off
starts with the basic positions of the feet and incor- balance, which adds to the emotion. The ‘‘pony’’
porates such motions as bending of the knees, holds a strong and regal posture while happily
jumping and turning. Table 2 describes various ballet mimicking the sound of horseshoes on cobblestones.
techniques achievable for preschoolers. Ballet tech- The ‘‘frog’’ provides an energetic and excited ‘‘rib-
nique can progress to further, more difficult move- bit’’, as the child propels him or herself far into the
ments and can include arm positions and arm air. The ‘‘swan’’ exudes grace as it glides smoothly
movements. Children are especially engaged if they and calmly. Each animal exhibits specific qualities of
Preschool Movement 27

Table 1. Warm Up Exercises

Floor and Seated Exercise


‘‘Point & Flex’’ 10 repetitions • Sitting position on the floor with the legs extended to the front.
• While keeping the legs together with knees straight, the feet are alternately pointed up
and down.
‘‘Toe Reaches’’ 10 repetitions • Legs extended to the front and the legs maintained together.
• The arms reach for the ceiling followed by a forward bend to reach the toes without
allowing the knees to bend.
‘‘Scissors’’ 10 repetitions • Laying on oneÕs back with the legs up, pointing to the ceiling.
• The legs open to the side and close, crossing one leg in front and immediately changing
to cross the other leg.
‘‘Seal’’ 10 repetitions • Sitting position in which both legs are balanced off the floor while holding the ankles.
• The knees are bent, heels are touching and feet are flexed. While balancing the legs up
without releasing the ankles, one will roll backwards then forwards and end in a
balance sitting position.
‘‘Butterflies’’ • Sitting position with the soles of the feet together, the knees bent and positioned
laterally. The knees will then be raised and lowered from the ground in a bouncing
‘‘flying’’ fashion.
• This movement should be repeated for ten counts followed by a forward body bend so
that the forehead touches the feet.
• 3 forehead touches with a 10 count ‘‘flying’’ knees between each touch.
Standing Exercises
‘‘Body Bends’’ 4 repetitions of the series • The first of the standing warm up exercise
• Standing with the feet apart and hands on the hips (neutral position).
• Bending from the waist as far forward, rightward, backward, and leftward as possible
coming back to neutral position before every change of direction.
‘‘Knee Raises’’ 5 times each leg • Standing with the hands on the hips.
• The right knee lifts to form a 90 degree angle with the body and is held for 3 seconds
making sure to alternate between left and right legs.
‘‘Arm Circles’’ 1 repetition of the entire series • Standing up with the arms at shoulder level elevated to the side.
• Make ten small circles in a clockwise fashion. Then reverse direction and make ten
small circles in a counter-clockwise fashion.
• Then begin to make ten large circles in a clockwise fashion. Make ten large circles in a
counter-clockwise fashion.
‘‘Kicks’’ • Standing with the hands on the hips.
• Starting with the right leg, kick to the front, right, back, and right again.
• Bring the leg down between each direction.
• 4 repetitions of series with each leg

movement and mood that transforms the child into as the child is taught more movements that imitate
that animal, while exposing him or her to a wide different animals.
range of emotions.
Using objects and props help to engage and fo-
FACILITATING PRESCHOOL SKILLS
cus the children. For example, placing a blue mat or
object in the center of the room to resemble a pond Movement is a basic form of experience and
during animal movement activities keeps the child communication (Koff, 2000). When movement be-
focused on the direction as well as changes of comes a dance form, the sensory, motor, cognitive,
movement. The child is told to jump over, step over, social and emotional skills inherent in the experience
or make some other contact with the pond depending can be facilitated as isolated skills or a as a cohesive
on the animal. Animal exercises can also be per- integrated developmental experience. In inclusive
formed traveling across the floor, or incorporated environments, a multi-dimensional movement expe-
into a game called ‘‘duck, duck, swan’’ similar to the rience offers learning to children of all ages and
game: ‘‘duck, duck, goose’’. In ‘‘duck, duck, swan,’’ abilities. Through these experiences, children connect
the child chooses any learned animal and executes the movement, sensation, and action to self-awareness,
movement around the circle, instead of running, emotional response, social interaction, and cognitive
while the chosen child follows. This too can progress focusing and attention. A preschool movement
28 Lorenzo-Lasa, Ideishi, and Ideishi

Table 2. Ballet Technique

‘‘First Position’’ • The basic position of the feet is ‘‘first position’’, where the heels are touching and the toes are pointing out.
• Every ballet step should start and finish in the same position.
‘‘Plie’’ • ’’Plie’’ (pronounced ‘‘plee-ae’’), where the knees bend and straighten, can be performed in first position.
‘‘Relevee’’ • ’’Relevee’’ (pronounced ‘‘re-le-vae’’), where the heels rise off the floor and one is balanced on the balls of the
feet, can be performed in first position.
‘‘Souttee’’ • ’’Souttee’’ (pronounced ‘‘so-tae’’), where one jumps into the air, can be performed in first position.
‘‘Pirouette’’ • ’’Pirouette’’ (pronounced ‘‘pir-oo-et’’) is where one picks one leg up and spins, while on the forward ball of
one foot. All of the ballet steps can be performed continuously, going from one step into another.

Table 3. Animal Movements

‘‘Rabbit’’ • The ‘‘rabbit’’ jumps on both feet with hands held tightly in front of the chest. At the ‘‘pond’’ the rabbit jumps over the
pond on two legs.
• Movement expression: Quiet
‘‘Chicken’’ • The ‘‘chicken’’ hops only on one leg while the arms flap like wings. At the ‘‘pond’’ the chicken hops over the pond on
one leg.
• Movement expression: Funny
‘‘Pony’’ • The ‘‘pony’’ alternates raising one knee then the other at 90 degree angles, similar to marching with the hands on the
hips. At the ‘‘pond’’, the pony extends the leg from that 90 degree angle to cross over the ‘‘pond’’ in one giant step
without ‘‘getting wet’’.
• Movement expression: Happy
‘‘Frog’’ • The ‘‘frog’’ starts in a squat position with hands on the floor. The frog leaps up into the air and finishes back on the
floor in the squat position with hands on the floor. At the ‘‘pond’’, the frog leaps over from one squat position to
another squat position.
• Movement expression: Excited
‘‘Swan’’ • The ‘‘swan’’ moves by walking on the balls of the feet with heels lifted off the floor (Relevee). The arms move gracefully
up and down as if moving a large wingspan. The swan gently glides over the ‘‘pond’’ on the balls of the feet.
• Movement expression: Graceful

through dance program has the potential to facilitate and animal movements. Through vicarious observa-
various skills areas simultaneously. Therefore, chil- tional learning, animal imagery, and motor practice,
dren with different abilities can participate at a level D. required less physical prompts for initiation and
that meets their needs yet still engage in a social was able to repeat movements independently using
group experience. the animal images. As demonstrated above, using a
Movement through dance obviously facilitates variety of modes for motor learning such as the
motor skills. Using dance as an expression of move- warm-ups, animal movement and games facilitate
ment offers a tangible and goal directed movement childrenÕs problem solving and generalization for
outcome easily identified to children. Goal directed effective movement strategies (Shumway-Cook &
familiar and enjoyable tasks facilitate gross motor Woollacott, 2007a).
skills greater than merely the movement itself (Duff, Movement is a sensory experience. Visual,
Shumway-Cook & Woollacott, 2007). Participating auditory and kinesthetic senses are key sensations in
in a group format also provides opportunities for movement through dance. These sensory skills facil-
social modeling and repetitive practice promoting itate awareness of response and reactivity to different
motor planning and sequencing skills (p. 554). Dance conditions for the participant (Dunn, 2001). Move-
technique challenge children with new motor plans ment through dance can be an organizing tool for
and sequences increasing their repertoire of move- some children. For example, Child A. was initially
ments facilitating developmental motor skills. The hyper-reactive to visual and auditory stimuli. He was
warm-up exercises and animal movements can facil- distracted by any new visual or auditory information
itate a greater acuity to balance, body awareness, and present in the immediate environment. With the
motor sequencing. For example, Child D. had diffi- routine of the movement through dance activities,
culty with initiation of movement requiring physical Child A. associated piano music and animal move-
prompts to follow through with the warm-up exercise ment themes to the point where he was able to
Preschool Movement 29

exclude other sensory inputs and participate in the over preschool activities into family and home inter-
animal movement games. actions. After a few weeks of participation in move-
Creative movement and music experiences have ment through dance, Child N. came to preschool with
been found to enhance cognitive flexibility, ideation, a picture of herself dancing at home in a ballet tutu.
and spatial temporal reasoning (Hetland, 2000; Her mother reported Child N. showing an interest in
Holmes & Geiger, 2002). These are important pre- dance so her mother purchased a childÕs play tutu as
school skills for children to learn how to negotiate a well as taking her to a ballet performance of The
playground, build structures out of objects, and play Nutcracker. Connecting movement through dance
games. Dance provides opportunities for children to activities within family routines is another example of
create movements as an expression of idea or thought how preschool curricula facilitate social skills.
thereby expanding their imagination and ideation of As stated above, movement through dance
their body in space. The ballet technique and animal facilitate motor, sensory, cognitive and social skills.
movements challenge children to recall and connect Movement through dance can teach children how to
movement patterns with visual and auditory infor- manage different situations whether it is motor
mation, animal images, or spatial planning. Trans- planning, problem solving or social interactions.
forming French ballet words into actions challenge Using movement as a basis for situational problem
the child to connect verbal cues to movement patterns solving is a less intimidating method to introduce low
such as plie and souttee. Movement through dance stress experiences and help a child develop a reper-
also integrates these experiences with music, count- toire of emotional and coping responses (Boone &
ing, memory and problem solving. Through repeated Cunningham, 1998; Nikitina, 2003; Pica, 1997). For
reinforcement, children associate different modes or example, initially Child C. did not show any interest
tempos of music to particular movement styles and or affective response to the warm up or animal
count body movements to keep rhythm with the exercises. He needed physical and verbal prompting
music. For Child A., who was initially hyper-reactive to initiate engagement in any of the exercises. Using
to sensory stimuli, movement through dance helped contrasting emotional cues with the animal exercises
with associational recall learning and creative such as the feelings of a ‘‘free and happy’’ versus a
expansion of thought. After two months of partici- ‘‘hidden and scared’’ butterfly helped Child C. con-
pation, Child A. was able to anticipate ideas based nect with the movements. Using a consistent routine
merely on the movements he was shown. For exam- with the animal emotions, Child C. would anticipate
ple, Child A. would create the requisite arm move- hiding from the butterfly net and make different
ments when he would hear certain ballet music sounds when hiding versus being free. The change in
demonstrating his recall and desire to participate in expression and sound is an indicator of his under-
the ‘‘duck, duck, swan’’ game. The creation of ideas is standing of emotional range.
an important cognitive skill for preschoolers to Other curricular activities can emerge from a
interact and engage with others to form common movement through dance experience. For example,
understanding of experience and social participation. reading time can involve looking at books related to
Social participation is a core element of move- dance and children making connections to their past
ment through dance. A child expressing his ideas and experiences. Creative activities where children express
connecting with others facilitates a childÕs ability to an associated emotion through drawing and music
engage in social problem solving (Nikitina, 2003). tempo can extend and generalize the experience to
Referring to Child A., initially he had difficulty other aspects of their life. Children can be encouraged
staying with the group, minimally engaging with to explore new and creative uses of familiar objects
other children, and repeatedly leaving the group such as dress-up costumes, balls, hoops or free
requiring adults to constantly redirect him. Through flowing fabrics. Children using familiar objects in
the predictable dance routine and reinforcement of new, creative and imaginary ways facilitate their ab-
movement and music ideas he could relate to, Child stract thinking of the physical world through devel-
A. began to tentatively wait for the next ballet tech- oping multiple perspectives of a single concept. Other
nique or wait his turn during the ‘‘duck, duck, swan’’ structured art activities can include designing, draw-
game. ing and making stage backgrounds for a perfor-
Integrating learning within the family unit is a mance.
major objective of many preschool curricula. The Other considerations for a movement through
ballet theme provides a spring board for carrying dance program include: physical space, teacher
30 Lorenzo-Lasa, Ideishi, and Ideishi

training, and community integration. The use of African, Latino or Asian American experience can
space is inherently embedded in the nature of move- extend the movement/dance program to other forms
ment and dance. Therefore, identifying an appropri- of dance and reinforce the childrenÕs connection to
ate space for movement is critical. Large open space their family and cultural heritage. Many cultural arts
can facilitate movement direction and exploration organizations and centers have outreach programs
whereas small spaces can facilitate isolated movement for children at reduced or nominal fees. Pursuing
and specific patterns. Indoor versus outdoor space grant funding is a cost effective use of resources to
creates different images and can be used to explore support the above described movement, dance and
creative movement patterns and emotions. cultural arts programming. Community and cultural
Teacher preparation and collaboration with arts programs encourage and empower parents to
other professionals with movement expertise, such as explore community outings on their own.
dance, physical and occupational therapists, helps to
reinforce and extend the purpose, objectives and se- CONCLUSION
quence of movement techniques into curricular and
A preschool movement through dance program is
therapeutic planning. Creating curricular linkages is
a way to open the door to numerous benefits and
important for developing an integrated experience
opportunities. Creating new contexts for learning en-
rather than merely having isolated classroom events
rich young children and offer them different oppor-
and experiences. An integrated experience across the
tunities to understand and negotiate the world. These
curriculum allows children to develop different per-
opportunities should be layered to facilitate childrenÕs
spectives of a single idea through repeated exposure
meaning, intention and expression. Movement
of inventing and experimenting with knowledge.
through dance can accomplish this intent. Inclusive
Routine schedules for movement experiences
curricular integration, and parent and community
create predictable and repeated learning opportuni-
participation are important components of a cultural
ties. Anticipated and repeated experiences allow
arts experience that deepen the childrenÕs repertoire of
children to reinforce mastered movements and ex-
behavior and responses to the world. Early childhood
plore new movements. Children develop awareness of
education practitioners are encouraged to creatively
the perceptual and motor cues of movement so when
explore their community and develop rich cultural
a variation occurs, the children can adapt more
learning experiences for children. A cultural arts
readily to a situation based on their prior knowledge
program not only facilitates childrenÕs skills but also
(Shumway-Cook & Woollacott, 2007b). Therefore,
enriches the preschool teaching experience.
routine schedules help to build knowledge for
extending learning into new areas. Children can
participate in increasingly complex movement pat-
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