Dance Explosion School of Performing Arts

Our PK 1 Level of dance classes is for dancers who are preschool aged. The class serves as an introduction to dance for young children. The children use the Pre-preparatory training of dance to prepare for the continuation of dance. The class requires no experience, but does have tiny dancers who have danced at the studio the year prior. The PK Level 1 Training Program was created by Ms. Melanie to utilize the love of dance, the technical training, and most importantly; the FUN to allow even the youngest tots in tutus the chance to dance. The PK Level 1 class is an hour long. The class includes 30 minutes of ballet, 15 minutes of tumbling and 15 minutes of tap. Within the class they recieve the preparation fundamentals of classical ballet training as well as development of motor skills and coordination with the aid of creative movement. The dancers also begin to explore tumbling as well as are introduced to the basics of tap dancing. The dancers also learn about how to make some wonderful friendships and develop their listening skills.

 

About the Ballet Curriculum:
Our dancers are exposed to the ABT (American Ballet Theater) Pre-Preparatory Level 1 Curriculum. The dancers are learning the importance of classical ballet training steps as well as corrdination with the aid of creative movement. The ballet steps are done with visual aids as well as learning vocabulary in a fun and unique way. These aid in the development of vocabulary, turnout, and learning about directions as well as how to behave and adjust in a classroom setting. The dancers work on floorwork, stretching, and across the floor traveling steps. The children also recieve two minutes of "free time" where they are able to express theirselves, whether in the form of "Freeze Dance" or by songs that allow them to do what is said to be able to have fun, such as our "Animal Action" game. All of these tools combined together will aid in their summer and fall technique growth and can also be seen in their end of the year recital as well.

 

About the Tumbling and Tap Curriculum:
Our dancers are exposed to both tumbling and tap as well in the course. During tumbling, the children begin to learn how to work with their body weight through movements such as summersaults, crabwalks, and handstands. The dancers are also learning about how they can learn from watching other dancers so that they can enhance and develop their skills as well. The Tap Curriculum allows tiny dancers to learn how to isolate the foot as well as learning the importance of hearing rhythms. The children are learning the beginnings of Broadway tap steps as well as using the body to make tap steps more exciting and fun. The dancers at this age repeat a large set of tap steps and as the class continues, they learn more while revisiting the older steps to learn about memorization and muscle memory. 

 

At The End Of The Class

At the end of the class all dancers recieve a "reward" for their excellent behavior and listening in class. These are done by children getting a stamp or sticker, or on a holiday, a special treat. This serves as positive reinforcement and encourages great behavior and listening to continue. It also causes children to always leave with a smile because they know that they did their best and the teacher saw it as well! Dance then becomes something to enjoy and want to return to instead of something that is required!

 

THE PK LEVEL 1 DRESS CODE:
Girls: Leotard (any color) and pink or tan tights

Shoes needed: Pink ballet shoes, and black or tan tap shoes.

Boys: T-shirt and Comfortable shorts

Shoes needed: Black ballet shoes, and black tap shoes.

Hair: Out of the face; Either pulled back with a hairclip or headband if short hair or hair in a ponytail, braid or bun if they have longer hair. Dancers can also wear colorful leggings, leg warmers tutus, ect. to make their own dance outfit individual to them! Dancers are okay to wear design hair clips, bun flowers, or scrunchies in their hair to dress up their bun or ponytail.

Please refrain from having your child wear jewelry or rings because they could either fall off, break, or injure another dancer.