the next day their world has fallen apart. One lesson you can’t say anything wrong and the next it is impossible
to say anything right! Or is it?
TIme spent creating a positive atmosphere in the dance studio will encourage students to feel relaxed,
confident, engaged, and, most importantly, more motivated.
(PRACTICAL IDEAS – be welcoming, show enthusiasm, develop relationships, be genuine, approach correction
with understanding of feelings)
VAlue is something that every individual strives for. Adolescents are particularly eager to form meaningful and
accepting relationships – to be valued for who they are.
(PRACTICAL IDEAS – Include every student in some way or another, don’t dismiss students’ efforts; praise
them for trying not just perfection, take time to listen to students)
TIght control over the class may seem like the only way to keep order but in taking away the students sense of
control you are taking away their need for active engagement, curiosity, development of self and autonomy.
(PRACTICAL IDEAS – ask students what they would like to work on, what music they might like to use, how they
find it best to learn something, etc. Invite peer-to-peer support by allowing students to work in groups or with
partners.
ONly a student can know how he or she sees, feels, thinks and experiences, and each dance class may bring with
it different actions, reactions, behaviours and emotions
(PRACTICAL IDEAS – give a couple of minutes of class over to asking how students are, encourage them to share
feelings and concerns, don’t make assumptions about attitude based on what you see.)