Should My Child Be Taking Classes During Covid-19

  Many studios and gyms across our nation have been working hard at developing new systems of class delivery and health protocols during this time of COVID-19. Some have been forced to be "locked down", and others have been working with area health officials, their insurance provider and their faculty and staff to continue to deliver their services to their area families. It has been a time of high stress, uncertainty and fear.

  But through it all, this is what we know. Children are not made to be locked down, They are a creature of constant movement, giggles and fun. Movement is their release for stress. Movement helps them to think and even work better in school. The one thing that should not be taken away, for any reason, is movement classes. Especially movement classes that actually teaches self confidence and resilience. Stopping these type of classes is like asking the person to stop breathing.

It is very important to a child to be in their movement classes right now. It is where they make and maintain friends that have a similar interest in having fun. It is where the music brings a playful mood or feeling. It is where the real world dissolves and the magical world, that all children want and need as a mental escape, appears. 

Movement classes offer so much for a child's growth and self esteem, that many movement instructors believe that it is vital to to all children's mental, physical and emotional health during the COVID-19 pandemic. And we believe that fully as well here at Academy of Fine Arts. It is why we are still offering classes and lessons, either virtually or in person.

Movement classes, music lessons and art classes have all been found to be beneficial to our well being as humans. It is why a brisk walk can lift your spirits and help with stress. It is why when you listen to calming music, you no longer are anxious. It is while painting a landscape , you may find yourself smiling. 

Instead of classes and lessons being thought of as an extra expense during a frightening pandemic, these may actually be the just right prescription to a healthier immune system. Classes and lessons can also be a happy distraction from every frightening moment due to COVID-19 and such great chaos and unrest in the world. 

There are many options for classes and lessons right now, from a free class on Facebook, to Zoom classrooms, in person small group classes and even private lessons. After 12 months of fear and uncertainty, it just may be the right time to research for a location that has 

1) health protocols in place, 

2)options for virtual or in person,

 3) private or small group classes, or 

4) an occasional free virtual class in your area.

Mary Myers is the Owner/Director of Academy of Fine Arts of Woodward OK

 

Why Lead to Succeed?

Last month, we started a new group at Academy of Fine Arts that all registered students, ages 7 - 18 yrs can opt to be a part of. The group is about learning to be a leader in school, classes at AOFA and in the community, and is at no extra charge to participating families.

September was our first meeting and most of the meeting was talking about what leadership is and what qualities do we think a leader has, or brings to different events and situations. It was a very enlightening time for all in attendance.

So why offer children an opportunity to learn about leadership and develop leadership skills of their own? Because becoming a strong leader takes time. Just like growing from a child to an adult cannot happen, learning to be a true leader takes time to mature as well. After all, leadership is more than just making better choices or being a big boy or girl. Leadership skills of true leaders, tend to start to develop as a child and teen.

I was invited into leadership training when I was ten years of age. I was involved with lessons as a student when the head of the program approached my parents about me becoming more than just a student of the course. She explained that I would continue to learn and improve my skills in the course I was participating in, but I would also learn to assist the instructors, be a demonstrator and learn leadership skills as well. This lady, that saw something special in my abilities, started me on one of the most wonderful adventures of my life...... teaching and leadership.

Over the years, I have had many opportunities to listen to and be trained by some of the worlds greatest personal development leaders. Jack Canfield, Les Hewitt, Michael Gerber, Fran Hewitt, Darren Hardy, Les Brown, Dave Crenshaw, Jim Abrams, Jim Rohn,  Dave Rendall, Steve Chandler and Sam Beckford to just name a few. Each with their own specialties and viewpoints, have helped me to develop into a leader for many different groups and organizations. Their knowledge about personal development and leadership growth continue to influence my life.

Now it is time to share this wealth of knowledge and training with a different group, our students at Academy of Fine Arts. As I stated before, last month we learned and discussed what leadership is and what it is about. We also discussed qualities of a leader. This month, we continue the conversation and will learn time management skills that leaders use to stay on track. Other things we will be discussing is switchtasking/multitasking versus prioritizing, planning and scheduling. Because these are all skills that help a person to be in position to lead.

As the months go by and the group grows in skills, we will be reaching out to others in our classes, school, homes and community with projects to continue the growth of leadership. We will also be learning skills as to how to supports others on their leadership journey. And we will also explore challenging others in the group to explore how they can put their leadership skills to use outside of the group and Academy of Fine Arts/

If you, as a parent, is unsure about your child dedicating one Saturday morning a month to this adventure, I suggest that you visit with me or allow them to attend a couple of meetings to see what your child's response is to the experience. Registered students age 7 - 18 yrs may attend and participate. We do hope to see your child this Saturday at Lead to Succeed.


Mary Myers is the owner and director of Academy of Fine Arts in Woodward, OK

Is Your Dance Teacher A Genius?

Most dance teachers would probably say no, they are not a genius. But when you consider all the continual training and the areas of training they have studied over the years, your dance teacher may be one of the most educated persons you will meet in your life. Especially if your teacher is also part of the administration, or the business owner, of the dance school you take classes at.

For instance, your teacher has spent many years on their own training and learning from the very beginning, just as you have. They have suffered through the sore tight muscles, blisters, muscle fatigue, etc, such as you have. They have worked on memory skills and retention, again and again, just as you have. But their training has never stopped at a certain level or after a particular master class.

If there is any one reason to admire your dance teacher, that for sure is that they are a "lifetime learner". With dance being an ever changing element in performing arts, with many trends and the classics to stay abreast of , a dance teacher is always studying, always working and always trying to be the best that they can be for their students.

With new trends, especially the more athletic styles of dance, has came more opportunity for student injuries in class. This means that your dance teacher not only needs to know the moves, steps, style, etc, but also the correct technique that helps his or her students to learn injury free for a lifetime. He or she has most likely trained in assessing injuries to a certain level  and has taken first aide and CPR classes.

Your dance teacher also understands history and the progressions of dance and how to use that history to build creative choreography for the future. Dance is not new. It is just evolving all the time. By knowing dance history, your teacher knows how to connect to the world and help a dancer to grow.

To understand technique, your teacher has spent hours upon hours of study and practice in  dance and stretch techniques, anatomy, physiology, kinetics, and general science. They know how the body should operate free of injury and understand the different elements that makes up one movement at a time. If they did not, they would not be able to break down the dance movements and teach it in different steps or levels for their students.  They would not understand how to defy gravity for turns, leaps and jumps.

All dance teachers have studied nutrition. Either in a class situation or on their own. Nutrition is essential for a properly working body, and so they study to be able to continue to to dance for hours and multiple days a week. Great dance teachers also are a role model exhibiting proper hydration and preparation before, between and after classes by what they choose to eat and drink.

Time management is an important skill that teachers spend hours in developing. After all, every class that she has you in, there is a designated amount of time allowed for what is to be worked on in class. Time management skills is also used in developing lesson plans, selecting costumes, choreographing dances and administrative duties. Time management skills are always being improved upon by self study or attending training's.

Costume and set design sounds like fun, but a skilled dance teacher knows just how to make every student on stage look beautiful in their performance! Besides getting the right fit, color and style of costume, your teacher also has to match it to the show theme. And then there is the set/stage design and the lighting and sound to be considered. Dance teachers spend weeks and hours on getting it just right, so that the dancers look beautiful and the audience is entertained.

Human development and coaching is also an area your dance teacher may of studied as well. Ever noticed that when you have a problem, your dance teacher may be someone that you feel comfortable enough with to go to? For some reason your teacher is a person that is easy to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, a voice to encourage and a person to quickly give you information as to where to go to to get help, how to handle a situation, how to find your personal courage, etc.

Problem solving is a number one skill your dance teacher has had to learn to do. Ever notice how quickly they can change a part of the choreography that is not working? Pull a costume back together that decided to come apart just as you are about to step out on the stage? Find a way to mend a hurtful moment in class between you and another student? Help you tape a hurt ankle to go right back onto stage? Dance teachers have high level problem solving skills that tend to be over looked by many.

So, is your dance teacher a genius? They would probably say no. But ask as many adults today what skills they learned most from their dance teachers. Probably they will not remember the dance steps or technique. But they more than likely will tell you about all the life skills they learned in dance classes from their genius dance teachers.


*Written by Mary Myers, owner and director of Academy of Fine Arts in Woodward OK.

Five Benefits From Dance Classes You May Of Never Known

5 Benefits from Dance Classes 

You May Of Never Known

Most families enroll their children in dance classes because it is something fun to do. It is only many years later that they find out that the classes were actually a great training ground for the future, no matter what or where the future leads their child.

Parents are happy when their children find an "activity" that they enjoy. But they are even more thrilled, that after many years of struggling and encouraging their child to continue with their classes, they find out that their child has actually developed stronger life skills than the children of friends and family that were never in dance training. So what can your child learn beside to count 5,6,7,8 or to leap and fall to the floor without getting hurt?

Let's talk a bit about the physical side of benefits from dance classes in this particular post.

1. Physical activity is the most recognized benefit for anyone that dances, young or old. Since dance does use the whole body for movement, it is a great exercise towards whole body fitness. When you add the stretching and warm up, with the actual dance steps, a total body and mind fitness routine is now created. It has also been stated that dance classes are a great way to set the direction for a healthier lifestyle throughout life.

2. Kinesthetic memory is created by repetitive movements and barre work in dance. The value of this is a higher level of coordination and the ability to change directions quickly. This is just one of many reasons that professional athletes either pick up dance classes to improve their athletic ability, or they trained in dance prior to being a professional athlete. When you look at only less than 1% of high school athletes play professional sports, children that dream of playing in professional sports need as much help as possible from ages 5 to 20 years of age. But is also helps us throughout life in being more agile as we age.

3. Balance is another skill that is important throughout life. Some studies have indicated that the balance we achieve by age 10 is the level of balance we carry with us through out life. Of course you still develop balance after age 10 years, but it is this balance after age 10 years that we loose as we age. So best to develop great balance at an early age.

4. Falling correctly and getting back up quickly is a skill that we all need. No matter if the fall is a physical one, or a situation one in life, school or business. Have you ever wondered how dancers can leap high into the air and land down on the floor, almost seemingly floating to the floor? Then roll and come up on their feet with great power and grace at the same time? It is because of the hours an hours of training each individual part of the body as to how it contacts the floor and travels through space and time. Then when it is time for a level change (or change in life), the total body just responds naturally (again another reason why professional athlete decide to pick up classes in dance to improve their athletic abilities).

5. Changing directions quickly is important in so many ways. Ever seen anyone change directions quickly and then claim they are dizzy from the abrupt change of direction? More than likely, they never took dance classes. The vestibular system is the sensory system that provide the leading contribution about the sense of balance and spatial orientation for the purpose of coordinating movement with balance. Vestibular disorders can include vision and balance disorders or difficulties.
The constant work of turning, rolling and changing directions abruptly in dance classes can help the vestibular system to be stronger and more balanced for better health and life.

These five benefits are generally not ones that are listed on studio websites or brochures they pass out to the public. But they are there for every child, teen or adult that trains in dance classes long term. These five benefits are just as important, if not more so, than the ones you will find listed on any of their marketing materials. So when in line registering for classes, know that you are signing your child up to learn life skills that may enhance their adult life. Dance classes are an investment for their future.


*Mary Myers is the Director and Owner of Academy of Fine Art in Woodward OK 

Sampling

With school starting and the fall season coming, many parents are now actively trying to figure out their family schedule for the year. Hours can be spent on this as they try to "get everything in". Some reflection may be needed at this time of year to discover why families select their children's experiences they way that they do. After all, it is very hard work and management on the parents part for sure.

Parents are always seeking great experiences and events for their children. So much so these days that children are now in the habit of only attending classes and training, such as dance, gymnastics, swimming, music, martial arts, sports, etc, for a short time before going off to the next adventure. The major excuse that they give is "all their friends are doing something else and they want to be a part of it".

If children are constantly wandering from experience to experience, never staying long enough to learn the full scope of the experience and only sampling, the world will change drastically and not necessarily for the good. After all, if little Michael Jordan wanted to play every sport and only sampled basketball, he would of never of been as great as he was when playing for the Bulls. Same for Kevin Durant of the OKC Thunder. If Tiger Woods only sampled golf instead of putting hours of training in, he would of not made such an impact on the golf world at such a young age.

Think about it, no more Misty Copelands, Travis Walls, Maria Tallchiefs for the dance world. No more Michael Phelps of Nancy Hogsheads for the swimming world. No more Nadia Comaneci or Gabby Douglas for the gymnastic world. How horrible would that be?

Our world needs heroes and leaders in all parts of our lives. If Mozart or even the Beatles only played around at composing music, instead of working hard at mastering it, there is no telling what we would be listening to today.

Can you just hear Mozart saying "but mom.......everyone else is doing soccer". Or how about  Shirley Temple crying "but mom..... Sally's mom says she can pick and choose what ever she wants to do".

The point is this. Children will sample at everything they do if they are allowed to, and are not guided towards finding one or two things they can become great at. Children will continue to want to follow their friends, not because they really want to do what the friends are doing, but because they are afraid of being left out of the group. Children will do this because it is what they do. Unless they are guided towards those experiences that have the greatest life value, they may continue the pattern even as an adult.  Parents have a choice of guiding them towards possible greatness, or allowing them to wander from one thing to the other, never becoming great at anything.

Becoming great at one or two things, instead of mediocre at many things, is how leaders and heroes are trained for the future. Finding experiences that teaches self esteem, self confidence, self trust, team work, cooperation and yes even  how to be an individual that is not afraid to go out on their own may be a better direction for our children. This means selecting one or two experiences and helping them to dive in and swim around for years so that they have time to fully train and develop into great leaders and possibly even heroes of our world.

Sampling may be fine at a buffet to find out what you would like to eat, but over sampling many different experiences with no direction and guidance may be just as detrimental as over eating at the buffet in the long term.

Progressive parents, and parents of grown children that are now doing fantastic things with their adult lives, know and understand that if the adults of our world cannot guide and set standards to follow, children will never grow up to step forward to take leadership of their lives, business, country or world.

Guidance is a good thing. Learning to be an individual that can make strong choices they can follow through with is even better. Let's leave sampling to the buffet.

The Value of Dance Classes by Rhiannon McGinnis Tuck

We have another guest BLOGGER today. Former student Rhiannon McGinnis Tuck shares with you what dance meant to her and how it has empowered her life as a public educator and parent of twin girls:

My name is Rhiannon McGinnis Tuck and I have been teaching Kindergarten for 11 years. I have always loved dance and I started dancing when I was just 2 years old and continued formally dancing until my freshman year of college. Dance has taught me so much in life and one thing that it has taught me is dedication. To be a dancer you have to be dedicated- to practice, stay healthy, stretch, etc. Through my dedication that I had towards dance I have learned to keep trying in all that I do. I know that practice makes permanent and I have carried this over into my classroom to teach my students. I have taught them to practice things that are taught and it will get easier. It has also helped me out being a mom and helping my girls. I have taught them and shown them to have dedication in all that they do in life whether it be sports, dance, or school.

Dance has taken me many places in my life. Some of my very fondest memories involve dance in some way. I actually did things through dance that I never dreamed I would get to do. Some of these include: dancing in the halftime of the Citrus Bowl Game, dancing on a cruise ship, dancing during high school football games, and being on a competitive dance team. What fun learning experiences I had from being in dance.

As an adult a way that I still incorporate dance into my life is every morning in school I dance with my Kinders. It is a great brain break and they LOVE free dancing and me teaching them dances. It is a bonding experience for us all. It also helps keep up fit and active in a very fun way. I also take a ZUMBA class and since I grew up being a dancer I catch onto the dances very easily and I love dancing to stay in shape! It is so fun it doesn’t even feel like exercise.

I am a mother of twin 8 year old girls. One of my highlights of being a mom is that now my girls are taking dance class. I get to see the love and passion of dance through their eyes. Since I grew up dancing I can properly help them with their dance routines. I then get to see them on stage dancing and having the time of their life! I can honestly say that dance has made one of the biggest impact on my life!

Skills and Values From Dance by Krista Smith Asbell

Note* Dear readers, I have asked some former students, that are now grown and parenting their own children , to write as a guest blogger on what skills and values they received from taking dance classes, that they now realize have carried over to their adult life. My hope is that this will be fresh, first hand information that new families to dance or other classes will find helpful in supporting their child's effort. I believe you will find great value in the perception of these young mothers.

 

Our first Guest Blogger is Krista Smith Asbell :

 

I have always loved to dance.  My parents used to take me to a Mexican restaurant that had a mariachi.  When I was 18 months old, I would climb out of my seat and dance to the mariachi's music.  Today, 28 years later, one of my favorite things to do is to go dancing with my husband or dancing in the living room with my 18 month old daughter.  Dance taught me so many things.  It taught me how nothing comes without hard work, to live a healthy lifestyle, and if you’re having a bad day – get moving!  I can not wait for my daughter to start dance lessons, so I can watch her grow, not only as a dancer, but as a person. 

            I began dance as an activity when I was in the third grade.  When I was in the fourth grade, I begged Miss Mary to not take ballet.  However, I disappointingly enrolled for tap, jazz, and the dreaded ballet.  See, I did not understand that ballet is the foundation for ALL types of dance.  I had no idea the great things ballet, alone, was doing for me.  Ballet, in my opinion, is the hardest type of dance.  It is more structured, requires more technique, and requires more muscle control and conditioning than the other forms of dance.  Without ballet, you can be a good dancer, but you can not be a great dancer! From this experience, I learned you will not get any where in life, unless you do the work first.  To achieve anything in life, there is always lots of sacrifices and hard work to first be completed. 

            Dance established the basis for me to be healthy.  I wasn't just going to dance lessons; it was like going to therapy every week.  I may have walked into dance with four tests at school that week, drama among junior high girls, and life in general, but not when I walked out.  When I left dance, I felt like a whole new person!  Dance lets you express yourself in a healthy way, when sometimes, there are no words to express what you are feeling.  It was also intense, low impact exercise.  It was great cardio, especially with Miss Mary’s tap routines! Even though ballet wasn't my favorite, it was excellent conditioning, and I grew to appreciate ballet. To this day, I keep active to minimize stress, support muscle tone, also it makes me feel good.   

           I also gained an appreciation of all types of music.  Dance helps in so many aspects of life, especially a young person's life.  It increases athletic abilities, engages both right and left brain thinking, creates excellent posture, and builds confidence. I can’t think of a better activity for children to keep their mind, body, and soul healthy. I am still reaping the benefits of dance today.  Dancing made me happy and still does.  Anytime I catch my toddler dancing, I encourage her – whether we are in public or at home – because I know it makes her happy.  That is the most wonderful thing about dance, it makes people happy.  If the music makes you want to move, then get moving!

Krista Smith Asbell

Public Educator

We saw the Future Tonight and The Future Is Bright!

Tonight was the meeting for parents to attend and ask questions of the Assistant Principal of Oklahoma Connections Academy. Though there was low attendance, it was a very insightful meeting! Tonight we saw the future. Here is some of the things we learned and want to pass on to you!

Virtual Public School in Oklahoma is FREE online schooling. The school operates under a statewide virtual public school state board of education (just like the State Board of Education that is over brick and mortar schools). The virtual school does have to follow all state guidelines. There are a set number of hours of school with vacation days scheduled. There are three major virtual public schools in Oklahoma, K-12.com, Epic and Oklahoma Connections.

Now the differences. The difference in brick and mortar and the virtual public school are many. The number one factor we found interesting is that some students are able to complete their full day of studies in half the time a child spends in a brick and mortar school. Students are also allowed to work ahead of the schedule in the virtual school, banking hours of study, for those days that they do not work on their studies. Thus allowing your child to actually follow some of their passions such as personal coaching in their sports, master classes in dance and music, vacationing with grandparents.

It was easy to see that students enrolled in Oklahoma Connections Academy can become a specialist in their field prior to even high school  graduation! (The assistant principals daughter left brick and mortar last year and now attends OKCA AND is in a nursing program at a Vo-Tech. Thus allowing her to progress past others her age and go into college with hours already accomplished for her nursing degree!) Oklahoma Connections Academy offers electives in entrepreneurship, technology and engineering. Students can learn website and virtual game design even before leaving high school.

Teachers are more accessible with OKCA. You do not have to wait for a note to come home or receive a call from your child's teachers. The grade book is available 24/7 and the entire school year is planned and mapped out for your child's success. There are parent teacher conferences to work as a team in educating your child.

What a bout socialization? OMGoodness! There are approximately 2 field trips a month that your child can participate in. A large outing at Frontier City is planned in May at the end of this school year. There are clubs to participate in and much more. Couple all of that with your child's local music lessons, dance lessons, gymnastics, cheerleading and local sports leagues and you will realize that there are plenty of opportunities for  socialization.

But what about sports like football?? Well, we were given information on that too! Did you know that some OKCA virtual public school children are actually playing sports at their area public brick and mortar schools? That is right! They are still playing school sports! (you really need to talk to us about this)

Foreign language? Oh yes! How about Spanish and Chinese? Spanish fits our area of the US and Chinese is the fastest growing global language !

Music? OKCA has partnered with Julliard with Julliard's e-learning in music! Outstanding! Your child will be better prepared for college in music!

How about life skills that can lead to careers? Yes they still offer home ec style of classes such as baking, cooking and even an auto mechanics course for those that have an interest.

The biggest aha moment has to be that you and your child have an opportunity to design an education that can work for your child and with your child's interest in mind. No boring, out dated classes to have to drag through with low interest. They even have peer tutoring sessions!(sounds a bit like college, right?)

We even went a bit further and asked about special services for students such as learning disabilities and college advisement. We were informed that they have people already in place for this. I asked about a speech therapist and they gave me the name of the person.

So here is our conclusion from tonight's meeting. Oklahoma Connections Academy ( and our energy, ideas and programs) can give your child everything they can get in the public brick and mortar. But they can give more. Much more. 

Your child can enjoy school, like they should. No bullying, no school drama and gossip, no fear of failure. School should be fun and enlightening. It should challenge your child and cause them to dream of a bright future. School should be the first step towards your child's future (and it is never too early to start planning for that!).

OKCA allows a child to be challenged so that they can grow. OKCA's schedule and lesson plans work towards an education with plans for college admittance. OKCA's well planned year allows for more family time and time for your child to find their passions.

Do we think Virtual Public School is the near future? It is already here and has been for some years in in other areas of the United States. Colleges have been offering online courses for graduation for adults for several years now. Virtual training and education is not new.

Educating our children as a country for decades has offered public education, private education. home schooling, tutor training and more. For generations, elite athletes in high school and college have used tutors and other alternatives for education. This is how Olympians are made.

Child actors and musicians on Broadway and in Hollywood have also received their education from those sources in the past. This is how movie stars and the Hannah Montana's of television and music were created.

It is just this day and age, the system of delivering the education has changed. No longer are there tutors at the gymnastics gym, but now through the computer. No longer does an athlete, musician, actor or just a very mobile family have to carry a huge amount of books to travel and continue the studies. No longer does a family have to beg the school district to permission for their child to be allowed to vacation in February instead of the summer.

OKCA has 740 students this year. Some are athletes that need more time to spend on their sport. Some are students that need a bigger challenge. Some are actors that go to Hollywood to film pilots for television. A very few are those with special education or health needs. Most are just average kids enjoying the freedom from bullying, school violence, school drama and more.

In any case, we have concluded that Oklahoma Connections Academy is still a school district (even though virtual) that we will recommend to our family, friends and students of our performing arts schools. We have seen the future and it shines very bright.

**We have six bags with registration information, class information and a t-shirt to the first 6 families that comes in and says, I want my child to attend OKCA this next year. Registration is now open until May. Once registering for OKCA, then contact us as to how we can offer Learning Coach Services for the success of your child! You do not have to be the learning coach for your child in virtual public school. You can outsource it! Call us now at 580-256-3262 or 580-747-4799

I Can't Get Her/Him To Practice

Well, of course you cannot! No child ever wants to do what their parent's want them to. Right?
As director of Academy of Fine Arts, I do understand you wanting them to practice their art of music, dance, gymnastics, etc. a good thirty minutes a day. But believe me, as a parent also, it just is not going to happen!

At least it is not going to happen at the day, time and moment you want it to. I too struggled with the idea that my child (or even grandchild) should be working out every day and practicing what we are paying for. Even though I own the school, I still had to pay the teachers that my family members took under and wanted to be sure that I got what I was paying for! Reasonable, right? Not really when you stop and think about it.

I finally realized that I was not paying tuition for my child to practice. I was actually paying tuition for my child to "take a weekly lesson" and that practicing at home just did not fit into the mix at all.
So this meant that I had to re-focus my intentions and re-direct my children (and grandchildren) to a whole new idea of what practice might be.

Ever wonder why on weekends that your child "plays school" when they have already been in school all week?  You would think they would be tired of school, right? When in fact what they are doing is not practicing their school work, but actually putting what they had learned during the week into action. Playing school is not work, it is a fun project!

So why not allow practicing dance or music, stretching for gymnastics or writing choreography and theatrical movements be play? Why not allow them to take what they have learned from class this week and teach it back to imaginary friends, dolls, stuffed animals or siblings?

I can remember parents in the past asking how my children became accomplished dancers, gymnasts, athletes and musicians (yes they all played instruments as well as danced, tumbled, played softball and basketball and even  cheered). How many hours a week did I make them practice? My answer? ZERO. Not even when they were in the high school band. Why? Because I did not want to push them towards "I want to give up".

Instead of practicing at home, we played. They played "dance teacher", "gymnastic coach", " cheer coach". "music teacher", "band director" to their siblings, friends from across the street, their dolls and stuffed bears, and yes even to family members that were over for dinner or adult friends that had stopped by.

Every weekend was a time that they worked on putting together a new performance, The performance was usually unveiled on Sunday evenings in its full array of music, movement, singing and playing instruments! I actually miss those performances. They were creative, colorful, cooperative and insightful. They changed with the seasons. They changed with the weather. But they were all wonderful!

There was no scheduled practice time at home. Ever. But once in high school and having a playing test the next week, the instruments did come out. They came out for practice on their own, because now there was something at risk. Grades.

Once in Junior and Senior High, you would find them stretching and working out on their own. Why? Because now there was competition dance team, cheer squad, basketball team, softball team and skills they wanted to get down for class.

Practice is something that I believe a child has to grow into. Before age 12 years, it is best to leave it up to play. After all, all of the current personal development coaches say, "If you want to become an expert at something, first learn to teach it."

So let the young child teach what they have learned to other, imaginary and real. And keep the classes there on a weekly basis so that they can teach something new each week. Let them grow into their art methods. Let them grow as a teacher. Let them grow into a wonderful, accomplished sons and daughters. Let them play.

Music Fun Time Registration continues in Enid and Woodward

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What Music Should I Allow My Young Child To Listen To?

This is a question that we hear very often. But we also hear from the parents how proud they are that their children know the lyrics of some very adult songs as well.

Music lyrics are another form of language. A language that children pick up very quickly due to it being connected to music. Just like you would be selective as to what the language  usage is in movies that your children watch, you probably should be careful as to what songs are playing on the radio in the car going down the road. Just when we think they are not listening, they generally are.

Music for children abounds the market in the stores and by digital download. But even though some profanity has been removes, parents need to listen closely to the meaning of the lyrics. Ever wondered where your child "got that?". Check the music that YOU are listening to.

Music should be age appropriate, entertaining and have a learning situation attached to it. But don't forget to introduce a few of the classics and music that is instrumental and calming as well.

Yes, there are many options for music for your children. And most parents make wise decisions in selecting their child's music that they intend to allow their children to listen to. It is when, as adults, we have adult music playing for our own enjoyment that we forget about the child size ears and brains that may be listening too.

For more information regarding ways of selecting music for your young children to listen to, we suggest this PBS site article:

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/what-music-should-my-child-listen-to/

To Compete or Not Compete. That is the Question!

Dance competitions are BIG DEAL these days. Well, actually they were a big deal even in the 80's when every child did not receive a trophy or a ribbon. Matter of fact, most only handed out a 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the age group. No extra awards. But things have changed and maybe not for the best.

One of the things that has changed is how a student gets to be a part of a competition team. These days, some studios just allow you to sign up, as if it is a regular class. Others hold a "clinic" or "audition" to see which one of the teams you will be on. While still those schools, that know  not every student or family is ready for the full commitment of competing, select students from recommendations from teachers, conduct interviews and meet with each individual parent and make an informed decision about their child's well being.

As an adjudicator for competitions and director of my own schools, I am of the opinion that studios that take all students into a competition team or company, no matter what level of dancer, can be doing great harm to the student as well as the industry.

Competing use to be seen as "the next step" for those students and families that had a plan toward dancing at the university level, auditioning for amateur and professional shows, etc. It was the "next commitment" level to work towards in fine tuning the dance craft of the young person.

Much care was taken in being sure that the student was ready for the regimen  of training, travel, scoring well and not scoring so well. Hours was spent in preparation and selection of the dance method, music selection and costuming so that everything was appropriate. Then there was the many hours of technique training.

Most of this seems to be gone. There is no plan, but maybe to get as many families in as you can to charge more for lessons and costumes. There does not seem to be as much work on a piece before it even hits the stage. Many times, it has been evident that an unfinished piece has just been placed on stage to "get the feel" of if the number is going to do well later in the season, or if it needs to be dumped and start all over just for the sake of receiving a plastic trophy.

Our students that have placed in top 10 and top 5 at nationals spent hours on a piece, maybe even a year, before putting it on stage for adjudication. They would perform at local pageants, festivals, fairs and benefits to fine turn their performance presence as well as the dance. And some even competed a number more than one year or season to allow the piece to mature with them.

So, maybe I am  "old school" in thinking that the idea of a "Pre-K Competition Team" or even a "Kindergarten Competition Team" is just a bit too over the top. Subjecting students at such an early age (now I do know that there are some exceptional kindergarten age dancers out there, but let them dance in a multi age level group and average the ages!) may just lead to a big decay in the whole dance competition scene.

All it takes is a hyper emotional child, whose feelings have been crushed, and an extremely emotional parent that their child's feelings have been hurt or their child was cheated, to manifest into the worlds largest mess in a studio and everyone is unhappy! If this happens, it is probably not even the child or parents fault. But the fault of dance professionals trying to push too much, too soon and not have enough courage to tell a family, "I am sorry, I don't think competing is something you should consider for your child just yet. But we will certainly track their progress and visit with you as soon as we believe that moment has arrived."

So no, we will never have competitive dance groups that a parent can just sign up their child for. We will never place a child on stage that is not completely ready for the experience. And we will always be up front and honest with the parents so that we can develop a working relationship with the student and family that lasts for years, maybe even generation.

You see, as a dance professional, our families deserve this respect. They deserve to have a dance professional that is working for the progress of their child's ability to dance and never, ever at the expense of a child's feelings or emotional well being.

After all, dance is an education and not another "traveling" activity. Enough said.

Is Your Child Having Trouble in School?

The first thing to do is meet with the school teacher and find out just what the trouble may be. Sometimes this brings anxiety to the parents, thinking that "trouble" means something bad. But it may not be bad at all. Think of it as being pro-active in your child's education.

When a child is having trouble in school, the very first thing a parent might want to consider, after visiting with the teacher to see what she or he may think the problem may be, is to schedule a health check up, eye exam and dental exam. Sometimes the situation of unfocused work may be an underlying health situation, such as low blood sugar or even not being able to see the work.

Think about registering the child into classes that requires focus and the learning of a discipline, such as dance, music, gymnastics, swimming, art lessons or even martial arts. Children enrolled in such classes tend to develop confidence and self discipline faster than those that do not.

If enrolled in such classes, don't take them out if they experience difficulty at school as a punishment. Why do that, when it is those classes that can actually add value to your child's life? Instead, remove other options such as going to the movies, watching TV, spending the night with friends. And make an appointment with their teacher in these programs to see if they are experiencing the same situations as your child's academic teacher as well.

Working together, your child's academic teacher, arts based teacher and you, their parents, can devise a plan to success!

Registering NOW for Move-N-Learn Academy in Woodward Location

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Can Music Lessons Make Your Child Smarter?

This is an interesting article on the benefits of music for your young child. We though it might be informative and that you would enjoy it! More information id available from the website that we borrowed this from at  http://www.raisesmartkid.com/all-ages/1-articles/16-the-effect-of-music-on-childrens-intelligence


Studies after studies are showing that learning music can make kids smart.  When your child learns to play a musical instrument, not only does he learn how to make tunes, but he also enhances other capabilities of his brain as well:

• A 10 year study involving 25,000 students show that music-making improves test scores in standardized tests, as well as in reading proficiency exams (Source: James Catterall, UCLA, 1997). 
• High school music students score higher on the math and verbal portion of SAT, compared to their peers (Profile of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, The College Board, compiled by Music Educators Conference, 2001). 
• The IQ’s of young students who had nine months of weekly training in piano or voice rose nearly three points more than their untrained peers (Study by E. Glenn Schellenberg, of the University of Toronto at Mississauga, 2004.)
• Piano students can understand mathematical and scientific concepts more readily.  Children who received piano training performed 34 percent higher on tests measuring proportional reasoning – ratios, fractions, proportions, and thinking in space and time (Neurological Research, 1997). 
• Pattern recognition and mental representation scores improved significantly in students who were given a 3-year piano instruction (Dr. Eugenia Costa-Giomi study presented at the meeting of the Music Educators National Conference, Phoenix, AZ, 1998).
• Music students received more academic honors and awards than non-music students.  These music students also have more A and B grades compared to non-music students (National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 First Follow-Up, U.S. Department of Education). 
• More music majors who applied for medical school were admitted compared to those in other majors including English, biology, chemistry and math. (“The Comparative Academic Abilites of Students in Education and in Other Areas of a Multi-focus University,” Peter H. Wood, ERIC Document No. ED327480; “The Case for Music in Schools”, Phi Delta Kappan, 1994)
• Another study has found that music lessons for kids make their minds sharper when they grow older. According to study researcher Brenda Hanna-Pladdy, a neurologist at the Emory University School of Medicine,"Musical activity throughout life may serve as a challenging cognitive exercise, making your brain fitter and more capable of accommodating the challenges of aging. Since studying an instrument requires years of practice and learning, it may create alternate connections in the brain that could compensate for cognitive declines as we get older."

New To Dance Classes?

New to dance classes?You will find very helpful information in this article. If your questions are not fully answered, then please call our office or visit our FAQ page. You have our promise we will answer all of your questions!

5 Things Every Parent Should Know
 Before Choosing A Dance School

If most dance studios and schools have qualified, friendly teachers, experience teaching children and a big show at the end of the year, aren't they all pretty much the same? Does it really matter which place you decide to enroll at? Yes. There are four very important things that can make a huge difference in the quality of instruction your child receives, the amount of extra work and hassels that must be dealt with and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of being involved with a dance program. Here are fou things that every parent should consider before deciding on a studio for their child.
1. The type of dance floor used.
  Dance is a very physical activity that requires alot of jumping, which can put stress on bones and joints. Most dance footwear does not provide enough cushioning or support, so the shock of dance movement can place alot of pressure on the knees and back of the dancer.The best wayto prevent against potential injury is by choosing a studio with a professional "floating floor". A floating floor rests on a system of high density foam to absorb the shock of jumping.
 The top layer of the floor is also important. A specialized vinyl composite "marley type" floor is accepted worldwide as the best surface layer for recreational to professional dance. A marley floor allows dancers to slide, with a degree of controlled slip, but is not slippery so there is less risk of slips and falls. Very few studios offer a marley floor due to the expense and opt for tiled floors instead.
At our facility, the dance floors are of the highest quality and rest on closed cell foam that allows the floors to actually move with the student. Thus lessening the possibility of injuries to growing dancers. 
2.Size of Class
   If a dance class has fewer students in it, then each child will receive more personalized attention, learn more and have more fun. With younger students, it is easier for a teacher to maintain control over the class and make sure each student understands the concepts and instruction. This also allows teachers to spot incorrect technique faster so that it can be corrected before bad habits, that can cause injury, are developed.   Our school offers classes that are limited in size for better instruction of your children. Classes for ages 6 years and up are limited to only 12 to a class. For our very young students of ages 2 to 5 years, the class is limited to 6 per class.
3.Organized And Well Planned Events
    We understand how busy families are these days. That is why we offer well organized recitals, open house, students appreciation days and bring a friend weeks. Paretns receive newsletters via their email address so that they alwayd know what is going on. The website offers a student page with a calendar and other special notices so that parents can plan well in advanced. We attempt to meet all of a families information needs through our website, courteous office staff and student mail boxes in the school.4. A Well Designed Curriculum In PlaceMovement instruction is technical from the very beginning. A well designed curriculum should be challenging and inspire the student to move further through the training. The balance between a challenging and insiring program must contain proper technique, sequence and terminology at all levels. The mixture of fun, creativity, energy and the proper music are also factors when determining if a program has been designed for optimal learning and enjoyment.
Our school offers a class schedule with a broad range of movement instruction for ages 2 years and up and at all levels. We offer a specific curriculum designed to create and capture a students attention and enthusiasm while emphasizing proper technique, sequence and terminology. 5. The Ability To Get Immediate Assistance
In many studios, the teacher conducts classes and does the administrative work as well. Sometimes at the same time the classes are being conducted. By trying to do two jobs at one, the quality of the classes may suffer while the teacher is conducting customer service. To have a good experience, it is wise to choose a facility that can offer customer assistance when you need it.    We offer a variety of ways that busy parents can contact us for information. Office staff is available to assist with questions and needs on a daily basis. Our office opens at 10:00 am Monday through Friday and not just when classes start. Information about classes and events are always being updated on the website, and e-postcards and newsletters are sent directly to our parents email addresses. E-notices are filtered to the classes so that when a parent receives information it is for their child's classes purposes.     

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Academy of Fine Arts of Woodward

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Move-N-Learn Academy of Woodward

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