PE_Guidelines_english0

Dance
Folk dance
Folk dancing can be presented to
children with opportunities to share
the rhythms, feelings and actions of
other dancers. Children learn to dance
some Irish dances and some folk dances
from other traditions. The teacher
should remember that the emphasis
should be on enjoyment in the dance
and on full involvement by the children
rather than mechanically concentrating
on the movements involved in the
dance. The spirit of caring for and
looking after others in a dance, sharing
and being part of a harmonious group,
is a most important aspect of folk
dancing for the child.
Strand units of the dance
curriculum
• Exploration, creation and
performance of dance
• Understanding and
appreciation of dance
Children who have little or no
dance experience have to begin
at a level suitable to their needs,
gradually building up skill and
confidence with an experience
which every child enjoys.
Exploration of social and
cultural aspects of dance
Folk dances celebrating work
such as the ‘Danish
Shoemaker’s Dance’ provide
opportunities for children to
examine the cultural
background of the dance.
The Dance strand helps children to
learn through dance and to learn
about dance. Through dance, children
are encouraged to improve body
management skills, understand a
range of movement concepts, work
harmoniously with others, and develop
creativity and imagination. In exploring,
creating and performing dances
children come to understand that
dance is a medium for the expression
of ideas, thoughts and feelings.
Participation in dance is appropriate
for children of any age and either
gender and provides many opportunities
to enhance work in other subject areas
within thematic work. Teachers can
provide a basic framework through
which to develop a love of dance. It is
important to begin the dance activities
at the appropriate level. Children who
have little or no dance experience have
to begin at a level suitable to their
needs, gradually building up skill and
confidence with an experience which
every child enjoys. The dance strand
consists of folk and creative dance.
In the early stages children are given
the opportunity to invent and create as
they gradually experience the
enjoyment of performing folk dances
from other countries and some Irish
dances. Beginning with individual work,
they progress to dancing with others in
pairs and in small groups. Music should
be selected carefully to allow children
to enjoy lively rhythms at a pace which
is appropriate for them to perform the
dance. Opportunities may arise where
the social and cultural background of
some of the folk dances can be explored.
Content strands
Physical Education Teacher Guidelines
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