Dance & Movement Activities

Until I am able to dance with you all again, below is a list of activities, websites and movement ideas to make this time of uncertainty a bit more magnificent.  I understand that we all deal with the unknown in different ways.  Know that it is the multiple lenses of of being that create such amazing art.  Enjoy the various dance teachers around you, whether they be your siblings, parents, neighbors, pets, trees, or blades of grass.  Explore movement in all of its forms, from all of the beings in your world.  If your feelings are taking over, let them!  Express them!  Use movement as your very own journaling technique!

​I look forward to seeing you all in a month and finding out about all of the wonderful movement adventures you have been on!
Picture
Dance
  • Brain Dance:  Brain dance has 8 components: Breath, Tactile, Core/Distal, Head/Tail, Upper/Lower, Body Sides, Cross Lateral, and Vestibular.  Create a dance that incorporates all of these components. For some inspiration, check out the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH2xNx2t6Xw
  • Elements of Dance:  Create a simple movement phrase (example: step, turn, jump, step, slide).  Use various elements of dance to alter and change the original movement phrase.  To brush up on your knowledge of some of the basic elements of dance, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGuD9Geeb2k
  • Create a Rhythm:  A rhythm is a sound or movement that repeats.  Allow each person playing to create a movement or sound of their own.  Put everyone’s sounds together. Perform the sounds over and over in repetition.  You’ve just created a rhythm!
  • Pass the Dance Move:  Think of the game telephone, but use movement instead of words.  Pass a movement from one person to another and see how it looks as each person interprets it.
  • Dance Through the Obstacle: Essentially, you need to place obstacles in a line, you could use different props for this purpose like party hats and big cones, with gap in between. The child(ren) must now cross these obstacles the way they please. They could dance their way through, or jump over them with a partner, and even use a small car to drive through the obstacles.
  • Freeze Dance:  A favorite game of most children!  Play a favorite song and have the child(ren) dance along.  When the music stops, FREEZE!
  • Fitness/Dance BINGO:  Create a quick Bingo board with fitness or dance movements, using beans (jelly, black/pinto, or coffee) as the BINGO markers.  Pick the movements out of a cup, hat, or any other holding receptacle. Before your child(ren) are allowed to place a marker on their board, they have to perform the announced movement.  Whoever gets a line of movements (up/down, across, diagonal) first, wins!
  • Create Your Own TikTok:  I know, I know...Tik Tok is taking over the internet.  What better time to try creating your own! Need inspiration?  Check out this video: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51791722
Yoga
  • Freeze Dance - Yoga Style!:  Play a favorite song and have the child(ren) dance around. When the music stops, shout out the name of a yoga pose and the students will then have to freeze in that pose. This also tests their knowledge of poses.  Be mindful that if you do a pose that is one-sided, you must have them repeat the pose on the other side. It's fun to see which moves faster, their minds or their bodies, as they think and try to jump into the pose.
  • Yoga Challenge:  You don’t just say the name of a pose and have child(ren) get into it. You can give them challenges that allow them to come up with a variety of poses.  For example, you can say: "I challenge you to demonstrate a pose that requires you to stay balanced," or "I challenge you to think of a pose where both hands are on the ground." As you add more challenges, you can watch their creativity expand. After each challenge, you can try to sequence the poses together.
  • Silly Train: Have child(ren) line up behind the leader in one straight line. Make sure that there is about an inch or two of space between the children (if there are multiple). The leader of the train will pick a pose that everyone will eventually do. When the leader is ready to start, they will lead the train around the room. Passengers or people following will dance or move as silly as they can, while staying in line or staying on the train. However, once the leader turns around, everyone must instantly go into the previously mentioned pose. You can take turns by changing train leaders once they do one lap around the room. Tip: Have some music playing in the background for added fun.
Websites

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.  The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time"
- Thomas Edison