Happy February! I can't believe that this year is moving right along. I took a couple of weeks to tend to some family business and just be. I am learning the importance of designating time for oneself and family. This process is an ever-evolving one and I am definitely an eager student!
A few weeks ago, I discussed how dancing got me through pregnancy. This week, I am addressing how being a mother is not just aiding me as a dance teacher, but also giving me inspiration. It has been years since I worked with students under the age of 12. Most of my performers were of middle and high school age. I have made it part of my personal teaching philosophy to consider the perspective of the student. For high school, I feel like I have been able to connect to my students and find a way to relate. But for the younger ones, it was a struggle. Then I had my son. I truly believe that it takes a special person to work with young children. I applaud my son's teachers all of the time. But working in a specialty area, such as dance, I feel like it can be even more challenging. The goal is to engage them, but you don't want to be too strict or serious because then you lose them completely. You want them to WANT to come to the class, but you also went them to listen and participate. Simple enough, right? Explain this to a 6 year-old. For the first time in a long time, I find myself teaching younger children. I was so nervous to begin the year. I mean, how much freeze dance can you play? But as the year has progressed, I have seen how my relationship with my own child has come into play with these students. Sometimes, as tired as you are, you have to jump around and be silly to appeal to this audience. You do not get to be vulnerable. This doesn't mean that there won't be students who push boundaries. Of course, there are the ones that love to hurl themselves around and onto the floor. But I finally get it, or at least have a little clearer understanding of it! My son loves to roll around and wrestle! Why would these kids be any different in a place where they can be themselves and have fun with physical movement? Once I realized this, I had a different approach to my role in this course. That deeper sense of understanding and empathy I mentioned, I didn't think that it was necessary for little ones. I just thought I needed to be kind and fun. Oh, but was I wrong?! If anything, you need a greater one. Seeing my 2 year-old navigate each day has given me this empathy that I must have for younger students. He is still learning what is right and wrong, hot and cold, good and bad, so on and so forth. The children I have been teaching are only a few years older than him. They are still figuring it all out, too. And we also must keep in mind that some of these students have never even seen the inside of a classroom until this year, due to Covid and quarantine. Talk about an adjustment!!! No wonder they are excited or nervous! I am far from the best dance teacher for small children. I have a long way to go before I nail the exact formula on how to approach this. But I can finally find some joy in it and feel like I can better connect with these little ones. By reaching out to other teachers and doing my own homework, I have learned that it is possible to teach any age. You just can't get ahead of yourself and think that you know better. Because no one loves to tell you that you are wrong more than a child. :).
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AuthorNikki Allred Boyd (Dancer, Choreographer, Mom). Archives
March 2024
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