Nursery World - Dance - Give it a whirl

Performance dance such as ballet should be experienced by all children as a vital part of their early years education, writes early years teacher Jessica Holme

Children are introduced to, watch and take part in ballets such as The Nutcracker

To dance is a pure form of expression which overrides all barriers of communication. There is a light in the dancer’s eyes, no matter their age, which reflects the unadulterated joy and freedom that washes over them. Anyone who has had the privilege to experience this knows that a true understanding of ‘self’ comes into play. In that moment you know exactly who you are and where you are meant to be; there, dancing.

The Arts have always had this illusive, mystical quality which seems to transform a human into a humanitarian. So, it is strange and unnerving that our current Government and curriculum seem to devalue the Arts in their statements and policies. During lockdown, there was understandable outrage when it was suggested that artists should retrain in professions such as cyber technology.

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