Develop Child

Our class sizes are small to allow teachers to build strong relationships with the children as individuals, and for the children to learn to respect each other’s contributions. They also learn to celebrate individual and group achievements. By getting to know the children this way, we are able to support them in building confidence and in expressing their individual needs and skills. Our classes provide opportunities for children to show who they are as they develop their own jumps and moves and discuss their opinions on choreography and music with their teachers. Our drama and movement activities allow children to share experiences and to explore situations they are familiar with. We provide opportunities for them to learn from others and to work through situations or emotions that they are unfamiliar with or confused by. Developing performances allows children to grow in confidence while still feeling supported in the environment and in their relationships with both peers and teachers.

As you would expect, our classes support children in developing a range of physical skills including balance, movement, spacial awareness, co@ordination and rhythm. However, the benefits don’t stop there. Our teachers work with the children to learn how to look after their bodies and prepare for exercise, and to think about the different aspects of keeping our bodies healthy. Our classes also support children’s emotional wellbeing and social development. The supportive atmosphere fostered by our teachers and the structure in the sessions, develops confidence in group situations. The calming and concentration skills taught in our warm ups and cool downs encourage children to relax and develop control of their emotions.

Our classes encourage children to develop focus and concentration skills as they learn, dance, and work together on the movement journeys. The children develop responsibility as they take turns to lead lines and demonstrate movements to their peers. They are involved in discussing the movements used, and the issues learned in our movement stories, as well as discussing music and choreography. This develops ownership and learning how to critique, expand, refine and develop their work. They are completely involved in the sessions from rehearsal to performance.

One important aspect of our classes is developing children’s speaking and listening skills. They learn this by following instructions from our teachers, as well as listening to each other as they develop and discuss their movement and what they have learned. Children are also encouraged to use expressive language to share their opinions about their work.

As well as supporting Learning Outcomes across all five areas, our program also supports your centre in developing the following areas of the National Quality Framework:

• Educational program and practice
• Children’s health and safety
• Relationships with children
• Collaborative partnerships with families and communities.