Are you ready to bring the world of dance into your classroom or introduce your students to the excitement of movement? Teaching dance to beginners doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re working with young children or older students, dance offers many opportunities for physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. This guide covers a few popular dance styles that are beginner-friendly and fun to learn.
1. Lite Feet
Originating in Harlem, Lite Feet is a high-energy dance style rooted in the hip-hop scene. This style includes movements such as the Harlem Shake and the Bad One, making it fun to introduce rhythm and coordination to students. Lite Feet is perfect for beginners due to its freestyle nature and simple foundations.
Consider integrating Lite Feet into a broader program to enhance physical development through dance.
2. Shuffling
Shuffling, which started in Melbourne, Australia, focuses on footwork with its signature Running Man and glide movements. It’s a great style to teach students who love fast-paced dance forms and is a staple in modern electronic dance music (EDM) culture.
For those incorporating dance in early education, shuffling can also improve coordination and motor skills in younger children.
3. Breaking
A fundamental part of hip-hop culture, breaking (or B-boying) introduces dynamic movements that engage the whole body. Breaking involves basic moves like Toprock and Footwork, which help build strength and flexibility. Because of its broad range of movement, it’s an excellent style for teaching balance and spatial awareness.
Teaching dance to preschoolers using simplified breaking techniques can encourage creativity while helping children develop gross motor skills.
4. Robot Dance
Inspired by mimes and made famous by Michael Jackson, the Robot Dance emphasizes controlled, mechanical movements. It’s a fun way to get students to focus on body isolation and precise movement. This style can engage kids’ imaginations as they pretend to move like machines, all while honing their coordination.
5. Krump
Krump is an expressive dance style that evolved in South Central Los Angeles. Known for its intense, exaggerated movements, Krump offers students a way to channel energy and emotion through dance. Krump is a fantastic way to encourage students to express themselves while building endurance.
You can explore additional dance styles with personalized lesson plans and teaching tools available through online resources, which specializes in supporting educators.
6. Ballet
Ballet is a classical dance style rooted in precise techniques and graceful movements. Teaching the basics of ballet, such as pliés and tendus, is an excellent way to introduce students to proper posture and alignment. While ballet may seem intimidating, simplified beginner techniques make it accessible for younger students.
Introducing physical development through dance at a young age through ballet can help build muscle strength, flexibility, and balance.
7. Afro Dance (Amapiano)
Popular in South Africa, Afro Dance styles like Amapiano are energetic and rhythm-based, making them perfect for engaging students of all ages. The upbeat, celebratory nature of Afro Dance encourages students to connect with the music and express themselves freely.
Integrating Afro Dance into your lesson plans can provide students with a rich cultural experience while improving coordination and rhythm.
8. Bhangra
Bhangra, a traditional folk dance from Punjab, India, is another lively style that’s great for beginners. Bhangra focuses on footwork and hand movements, often accompanied by energetic beats. It’s a fantastic way to teach students coordination while introducing them to new cultural practices.
Using Bhangra as part of incorporating dance in early education offers an engaging and interactive way to promote both physical activity and cultural awareness in your classroom.
9. Vogue
Vogue is a stylized dance form that originated in the ballroom scene of New York City. It’s characterized by dramatic movements, posing, and runway-inspired spins. Vogue encourages creativity and individuality, making it a fantastic style for building confidence and self-expression in students.
10. Locking
Locking, a funky dance style that blends freezes with rhythmic movements, is great for students who love playful and upbeat dance forms. Locking involves sharp pauses, making it an excellent technique to teach timing and rhythm.
For teachers aiming to explore more energetic styles, locking is an ideal introduction to hip-hop.
Whether you’re teaching in a school or running after-school programs, dance can be a transformative part of the educational experience. Dance not only improves physical development through dance but also nurtures emotional growth and social skills. Starting with beginner-friendly styles like Lite Feet, Shuffling, and Ballet allows students to gradually build their skills while having fun.