Dancing to Success: A Guide for Primary PE Teachers on Incorporating Dance into the Curriculum

When planning and delivering dance lessons, it is essential to consider the national curriculum for England. The curriculum states that students should be taught to:

To ensure that students receive the most comprehensive and beneficial dance education, teachers need to be aware of the national curriculum for England. The curriculum states that students should be taught to: "evaluate their performance and the performances of others" to critique and improve their technique. In addition, they should also be able to "analyse features of dance based on a range of theoretical perspectives". By keeping these two key points in mind, teachers can help their students not only meet but exceed the expectations set by the national curriculum.

To ensure that your dance lessons align with the national curriculum, you may want to consider incorporating the following aspects into your lessons:

Teachers who are considering incorporating dance into their curriculum should take into account the national curriculum's guidelines. PE teachers, in particular, can foster a dynamic learning environment with their dance lessons by implementing several key elements. These include instilling in students a sense of self-expression and teamwork and teaching them techniques for creating movements and understanding body parts. By nurturing these skills within their pupils, teachers can help ensure that their dance classes align with the national curriculum requirements.

Respond to different types of stimuli through movement

Dance is an essential part of the primary school curriculum and offers key stage 1 and 2 students numerous physical, mental and social benefits. Dance allows students to improve their physical fitness, motor skills and overall well-being through movement in response to stimuli. Through dance, primary PE classes can lead to further development as individuals, particularly as they learn to work collaboratively with others when responding to various tasks or activities. Experiencing dance in a class setting gives young learners creative self-expression, which can help build their confidence and sense of accomplishment.

Develop an awareness of their bodies in space and how they move within it

Dancing is an integral part of the primary school curriculum and can help children develop an awareness of their bodies in space and how they move within it. With the guidance of a PE teacher, students can learn dance techniques that improve spatial awareness techniques, body coordination, and physical fitness. This can result in a sense of accomplishment in students as they learn how to move their bodies in complex ways. Dance classes also help students succeed in a safe environment by providing physical exercise and improving motor skills.

Explore the use of different body parts for expressive purposes

Dance can be an incredibly dynamic form of expression, and one of the incredible benefits for students is the opportunities it provides to explore the movement of different body parts. Through dance, children learn to use various gestures and postures that convey meaning, from energetic leaps and dramatic arm movements to subtle facial expressions and even using intricate finger motions. Students are encouraged to make connections between the different body parts they utilise and how they express emotions creatively. Discovering how to use their body parts in this manner fosters creativity and empowers them with confidence as they gain a deeper understanding of their strength and capabilities through this unique form of communication.