My understanding
Dance is an effective means for young children to express ideas, feelings, culture and stories through their bodies. It is not just movement to music; it is a different art form, with its own elements – relationships, energy, time, space, and body. Children can develop their balance, coordination, confidence, imagination, memory, communication and social skills through dance. Children should have opportunities to take the roles of dancer, choreographer and audience. They can explore movements, arrange them into a sequence, perform and respond to their own and other children’s dances. Teachers should offer children ideas that will help them make movement, ideas like animals, weather, feelings or familiar stories. The cultural significance of traditional practices should also be taken into account in dance. All children can take part in a variety of ways. Educators can alter the space, sound, props/movements and give children the opportunity to sit, stand, observe or perform. This enhances the 5 EYLF learning outcomes and the whole child.