There exists greatness in all human beings... academics, sports, music... at Creative Dance and Movement, we see dance as yet another subject that all our students should have an opportunity to explore on their journey to discover for themselves where they are going and where their greatness lies!

Though we are happy to visit your school for a brief series of classes, we really desire to become a part of your students' school year, thus educating our local school children along with their excellent teachers. That's why our programs follow the California State Board of Education Dance Content Standards and cover many Physical Education Standards as well. 

Why dance at school?  

Dance education encourages creativity, develops kinesthetic awareness, and reinforces listening, memory, and sequencing skills. Dance benefits the body, of course, while it also increases self-awareness, self-expression and confidence. Research by Americans for Arts found a strong link between arts education at the primary level and higher academic achievement at the secondary level. Training young children in the concepts of movement, sequencing, patterning and spatial relationships lays a strong foundation for the later development of reading, math and a variety of other educational skills.

Creative Movement

All of our classes are Creative Movement classes rich in learning and exploration of creativity through movement. Each class includes a BrainDance warmup developed by Ann Green Gilbert. A research-based series of exercises using eight human developmental movement patterns, these movement patterns are the foundation for sensory-motor development and key in establishing and reinforcing learning patterns. Specifically, these exercises support (in part) sensory integration, proprioception (knowing where the body is in space) balance, coordination, motor skills, functioning of central nervous system, an understanding of our own right or left side dominance, left and right brain hemispheres, horizontal eye tracking, and higher reasoning skills.

Creative Movement ~ Preschool

With their imaginations fully engaged, preschoolers are delighted as they dance and move with each other! They learn concepts such as inside/outside, low/high, direction, as well as further develop coordination and locomotor skills like galloping and jumping.  The fundamental movements of the BrainDance, developed by Anne Green Gilbert are reinforced throughout the class. 

Creative Movement for Preschoolers, while a structured program, succeeds in validating each child's personal style of movement and encourages freedom of expression.

Creative Movement ~ Kindergarten - 1st grade

An exciting program blending the magic of childhood imagination with movement and the underlying principles of dance. Students warm up with the fundamental movements of the BrainDance, developed by Anne Green Gilbert. These movement patterns are the foundation for sensory-motor development and key in establishing and reinforcing learning patterns. Students then wiggle, gallop and jump to child friendly music, all the while using their imaginations and a variety of special props.

This program is easily linked to classroom themes, including The Ocean, Plant Cycles, Animals, and practical applications such as right/left, crossing the body midline, and vocabulary development for EL students.

Creative Dance ~ 2nd - 6th grade

First, students explore the fundamental movement patterns of the BrainDance, developed by Anne Green Gilbert. These eight developmental 

human movement patterns lay the foundation for sensory-motor development and life-long learning. This is a full body and brain warm-up which integrates body and mind.

Next, a quick lesson is given on a particular dance element(s). Students then explore, collaborate and create using the movement concepts.


This class challenges students to use their problem solving and critical thinking abilities, while rejoicing in their creative spirit. They develop dance skills, strengthen the body and brain, and have fun as they have positive social interaction with peers.


Academic subjects can be integrated into this program. Poetry, especially haikus, and natural science concepts have often worked their way into our curriculum, from rhyme and meter to osmosis, liquid and solid.

Skills and concepts are reinforced as the class progresses and are taught at grade appropriate levels of difficulty.

Class Rates ~

It is our objective to be as affordable as possible. We always appreciate school sites having us visit for at least two (2) hours at a time. Considering transportation costs and time spent traveling to and from a school site, this makes offering the program much more feasible. Typically, we charge $50 per hour; we highly recommend you contact the Arts Council for Monterey County to see about the possibility of a grant to support Creative Dance and Movement working with your students at your school site. They've been very generous in the past!

 

The chart below speaks to the recommended length and size of each class.

Our goal is to provide a personal experience for each child, as well as quality dance instruction. This is only possible when class sizes are small enough to be able to pay attention to each child, validate his or her creativity, and correct his or her movement when necessary. 

All class lengths can be adjusted to meet the needs of your school.

Class Length and Maximum Size Recommendations

Creative Movement ~ Preschool	30 - 45 minutes	*8 - 10 students
Creative Movement ~ Kinder - 1st grade	30 - 45 minutes	15 students
Creative Dance ~ 2nd - 6th grade	1 hour	20-30 students

Note: These are recommendations. Please contact us to discuss your site's specific needs.
It is also recommended that a teacher be present for any group of 20 or more students. If a teacher is present, accommodating more children becomes feasible. It is our experience that most teachers enjoy the class and many join in!

* Preschoolers are easily distracted in new situations. In a larger class (more than 8), it is recommended that a preschool teacher or parent volunteer participate in the class to redirect distracted children, if necessary.