Creative Movement in Early Childhood Settings

Summary

In this video, Stephanie Cardwell explores the power of creative dance as a tool for children's development. Through structured improvisation, children engage in movement to enhance physical abilities like coordination, balance, and proprioception. Creative dance also fosters emotional regulation, self-control, and self-esteem by encouraging expression through movement. The video highlights the four key elements—space, time, body, and force—and how these concepts are explored through activities like sharp and smooth movement. Cardwell emphasizes the brain's involvement in learning and the joy of discovery as children interact and share their experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Creative dance is an accessible form of expression that focuses on exploration and improvisation, with no right or wrong way to move.
• 😀 It enhances children's physical development by improving muscle strength, balance, coordination, and proprioception (body awareness in space).
• 😀 Dance activities like freeze dance help children develop impulse control and regulation of their body movements.
• 😀 Creative movement helps children express and understand emotions, supporting emotional regulation and boosting self-esteem.
• 😀 Key elements of creative dance include space, time, body, and force, with each explored through different concepts like sharp vs. smooth movements.
• 😀 Force, especially sharp and smooth movements, allows children to discover how different qualities of movement affect their body and balance.
• 😀 The process of learning dance is rooted in discovery, where children understand concepts like sharpness and smoothness through their physical experiences.
• 😀 Reflection and discussion after movement activities allow children to verbalize their learning, reinforcing understanding and making deeper connections.
• 😀 Children’s brains are actively engaged during creative dance, building neural connections that support both cognitive and physical development.
• 😀 Creative dance encourages self-expression, helping children build confidence as they explore movement without fear of being judged.
• 😀 The benefits of creative dance go beyond physical activity; they foster cognitive growth, emotional regulation, and long-term self-awareness.

Q & A

What is creative movement, and how is it related to children?

Creative movement, also known as creative dance, is an exploration of dance elements through structured improvisation. It is especially beneficial for children as it encourages them to discover and express themselves through movement, offering a fun and accessible way to engage with dance.

What are some of the physical benefits of participating in creative dance for children?

Creative dance supports overall physical development in children, including muscle development, balance, control, coordination, and proprioception—the ability to sense one's own movement and location in space.

What is proprioception, and why is it important for children?

Proprioception is the awareness of one's own body movements and spatial position. It's important for children as it helps them understand their body’s placement in space, improving body awareness and coordination.

How does creative dance help children with impulse control and self-regulation?

Creative dance helps children regulate their bodies by teaching them to control their movements, such as stopping and starting during activities like freeze dance. This promotes impulse control and helps them manage their energy levels and emotions.

How can creative dance be used to help children express and understand emotions?

Through creative dance, children can express emotions like happiness or anger by moving their bodies. This helps them connect physical movement to emotional states, improving their ability to regulate and communicate their feelings.

What impact does creative dance have on a child's self-esteem and self-confidence?

Participating in creative dance can increase children's self-esteem and self-confidence by allowing them to explore and discover new ways of moving. This process, when approached with a sense of play and exploration, helps children feel competent and confident in their abilities.

What are the four primary elements explored in creative dance lessons, and how are they used?

The four primary elements explored in creative dance are space, time, body, and force. Each lesson focuses on one of these elements, helping children to understand concepts like movement in space, timing, body shapes, and the energy used in movement.

What is the difference between sharp and smooth movements in creative dance?

Sharp movements are quick, energetic, and performative, often requiring sudden changes in direction or intensity. Smooth movements are fluid, continuous, and calm, requiring control to avoid stops and starts. Both types help children explore the concept of force in movement.

Why is the debriefing session important after a creative dance activity?

The debriefing session allows children to reflect on their experience, verbalize what they learned, and share ideas with their peers. This process helps deepen their understanding and reinforces the concepts they explored during the movement activity.

How does creative dance contribute to brain development in children?

Creative dance stimulates brain development by fostering cognitive connections as children explore movement concepts and their effects on their bodies. As they engage in problem-solving during dance, they make neural connections that contribute to their overall cognitive and physical growth.