Dance Concept: Space

When we dance, we use 2 kinds of space - Self Space and General Space. There are different movements we can do in place and movements that loco-motes through space.  For example wiggling, turning, jumping, shaking and twisting in self space alternating with galloping, sliding, rolling and running through general space. 

The benefits of playing with space is to:

  • Support your child’s understanding of spatial awareness – to help them understand where their bodies are in space and relate to the space around them. For example when we’re moving around in a smaller room in close proximity with other people, we want to keep our movements small and if we’re in a big room, we can take big steps and make big movements and not worry about bumping into each other.

  • Teach our children to use their bodies creatively in the different spaces – our children are still learning how to use their bodies. The more opportunities we provide them to use their bodies in different ways, the better and more confident they will be at using their bodies.

  • Teach self-control with the stop and go movements - to stay in one spot and refrain from running around the space is a great beginning to one of life's most critical skills - inhibitory control, so essential for a life well lived.

Regina Lum