Dance Concept: Shapes and Pathways
There are 3 kinds of shapes our bodies can make – bent, curved and straight! For example, we can curve our body to make a “C” shape, we can make a straight shape like a “Y” and we can hold up strong arms in a bent shape!
And then there are 3 pathways we can move through space in – straight, curvy, zig zag!
All the letters of the alphabet are formed by these simple shapes & pathways.
When our kids makes these shapes and pathways with their bodies, they are getting a kinesthetic awareness of what those alphabets feel like. And when they are able to master their gross motor skills (like making the shapes with their bodies), it will help with their fine motor development (like writing these alphabets with their hands). This helps them to make meaning out of the symbols later on and take interest in writing them.
Have you experienced that yourself, where you learn and remember better by doing? That’s because when you learn with your body, plus adding on the vocabulary (labeling), there are more ways to help you recall what you’re learning.
Playing with shapes also helps develop motor planning and sequencing. Motor planning is the ability to break down a motor task, then coordinate & plan body movements to complete the motor task. Motor sequencing is the ability to perform a series of movements in a sequence. Motor planning and sequencing is essential for performing everyday tasks, such as walking, writing, brushing teeth, and playing sports. It also underlies more complex skills, such as problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability. Here are a couple of blog articles* that help explain motor planning and sequencing further:
Lastly, we are helping our kids develop impulse control while they hold their body in shape – not an easy task to do for these little kids!
*Note: Little Feet does not endorse these specific organizations or the services and products they are promoting. These blog articles are merely for informational purposes.