Creative Movement is FUN, if you watch a child in motion; you will often see smiles on their faces and hear the sounds of giggles. When we watch children moving around, we often have smiles on our faces, and utter the words “they are so cute” and full of energy, I wish I had that kind of energy. This is all true, and accurate, but there’s even more benefits involved in creative movement, besides pure joy.
There are certainly the health’s and fitness benefits involved, when children move, and many People believe that’s benefit enough, and it is, but the intention of creative movement for children is not based on just one aspect.
While recently observing a ballet class, of five-year-olds, at the Dance Center of Evanston, located in Evanston, IL, I watched the children smiling, giggling, and moving, and also experiencing many other benefits as well.
These benefits included; Self-Awareness, Social Skills, Spatial Awareness, Large and Fine Motor Skills, Coordination, Sensory Integration Abilities, Awareness of Others, Language Skills, Ability to follow directions, and Brain Connections .
Research has shown that when children move, tension is released, and allows for better focus in other activities. Movement positively affects behavior, school performance, and social connections. It is important for children to have fun, but it should never be over-looked the multiple gains that occur while children are having fun.
It is the intention, when working with children, and responsibly creating curriculum, to take into account the various facets involved when doing such. Creative movement allows for all domains to be incorporated and these domains build on skills that will be needed throughout a person’s life.
While watching children move, smile, giggle, speak of how cute they are, and take comfort in knowing ALL the benchmarks that are being embraced.
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