Dance Teacher Preschool Class Ideas!

This post features Preschool Ballet Content including ideas on props that will not only stimulate the young dancer’s imagination, but also help them develop motor skills and spatial awareness. It is so important when children are learning to dance between the ages of 3 and 5 that they are learning in a creative, fun and challenging way suitable for their ages.

I like to start by using skirts that are in a circular shape and that reach to the knee to help them make the shapes for port de bras and also to stabilize the upper body. Hair needs to be off the face and, if you can make it fun for the children and their parents to get the hair up into a bun, I would try to establish that rule early on. Most parents don’t know how to make a bun or how to make it stay put. We always have little bun making kits at our front desk that consist of a thin hairnet, a few bobby pins and hairpins and a ponytail elastic. We sell them for $1.50 and they are a big hit because the parents don’t have to go and search for them.

Here is a list of props for girls and boys that you might like to keep on hand.

PROPS FOR GIRLS

1.      Small square scarves, preferably made of a silky type material so that they float

2.      Individual flowers

3.      Hoops; if you can decorate them with flowers or sparkling ribbon it makes them even more attractive

4.      Fairy dust—if the powder kind is too messy, try the gel type that you can use by putting a dab on the hand or face

5.      Hearts cut out of fabric

6.      Stuffed animals

 

PROPS FOR BOYS

1.      Flags on a stick

2.      Small cape

3.      Small wooden box with a little wooden hammer

4.      Basketball

 

PROPS FOR BOTH

1.      Tambourines

2.      Small mats

3.      Children’s umbrellas

4.      Small brooms

 

There are a number of ways that these props can be used, and it really doesn’t matter how you use them in your classes. I suggest having stories that the dancers need to act out using the props. Cinderella is a great ballet story with parts for boys and girls. You could also use The Little Mermaid, Aladdin or Sleeping Beauty—they are also great. Using mime and dance steps together is not only fun, but also great for preparing the dancers for the future and helping them develop performance skills, even at this young age.

CLASS CONTENT AND TECHNIQUE FOR PRESCHOOL DANCERS

It is always a good idea to get the dancers moving at the beginning of class. Running in a circle or on diagonals using scarves for the girls and flags for the boys will get their heart rates up. Once you have done this, sit them in a circle or semi-circle to work on stretches and basic technique:

1.      Sit on floor with legs straight ahead. Point and flex the feet 4 times. Run both fingers down the legs to reach for the toes. Sit up straight and repeat 4 times.

2.      Sit cross-legged and place hands in the prayer position. Lift to 5^th position, opening hands; continue by opening to 2^nd position, moving fingers as you bring the arms down. Bring back to prayer position.

3.      Sit in 2^nd position. Flex the feet and bend the knees up to look like a frog, then stretch the legs back out to 2^nd.

4.      Bend the knees and place feet together. Take the head to the toes and open the arms to 2^nd like wings; sit up straight and reach arms overhead, bring arms back down to relax at sides.

5.      Demi Plies: Standing in 1^st position, do 3 demi plies, point foot to the side, lower heel, 3 demi plies in 2^nd position, point foot and return to 1^st.

6.      Tendus: Standing in 1^st position, point R. foot to front, 2 piques and close back to 1^st. Repeat to other side. Next, do 4 single tendus closing in 1^st each time.

7.      Using scarves and capes, from the corner, do 4 skips, spin on toes using prop for 4 counts, sway R and L 2 times, run to corner and pause on toes.

8.      Using hoops, placing them in a large circle, run outside of the hoops in a circle for 8 counts. Jump into a hoop and spin 8 counts. Repeat.

9.      Rhythm steps with tambourines or maracas: In a circle facing in, 4 beats with prop, 4 jumps or sautés in place, 4 marches into the circle, 4 beats with prop, 4 counts spinning around to face outside of circle, 4 beats with prop, 4 marches to outside of circle, 4 jumps to face back into circle.

The last combination needs to be done slowly and with music that has a very definite beat. It will probably take a few times before the dancers understand the changes.

This class content will help to develop the young dancers and also keep their attention.