Fundamental Program

The First Class

The first class is an important one for young children - for many, it may be their first school experience. If your child is frightened in the beginning and does not want to come into the studio, we will allow you to sit in the classroom and watch the class together. Some children may want you to stay for just a few minutes; others may need your presence for a few classes. We will encourage your child to participate but she will need to join-in in her own time. As soon as your child feels comfortable to dance on her own we ask that you quietly leave the room. You can make the adjustment easier by not forcing your child to participate until she feels comfortable with the studio and the teacher. Instead, try gently coaxing your child into the room alone. Even watching the class by themselves is the first step towards participation. Please do your best to come to class each week and arrive on time - these consistencies are great contributors to a student's feeling of security.

Learning When Ready

At KICKS, we want every child's introduction to dance to be a positive one, and this means respecting each student's independent learning style. Some children learn by watching and others will joyfully jump in to try something new. We never force or push a child into an activity because a great dance experience is born out of an individual's desire to participate. Whatever your child's learning style, we will work to make her comfortable when initiating a new activity. Select repetition of exercises, a familiar class format and careful explanations will eventually make joining the fun easy for every child.

Basic Dance Skills

Many people are easily convinced into believing that a solid dance education must come with old school methods of forced discipline and boring repetition. Learning serious dance does not have to be serious. KICKS is committed to teaching dance in a positive way using creative methods to teach “the basics”.
With chalk, we teach proper foot placement & body alignment. Games and props are used to introduce dance terminology and reinforce basic technique. Your child will learn these and other basics, camouflaged in activities that are unique and fun. As students grow, they will embrace the discipline and challenge of dance out of a love for the art.

Creativity

It may look like they're playing, but learning about shape while encased in a giant cloth bag, discovering space while creating statues with elastic or becoming a dancing shadow teaches your child about concepts of moving through space. Studies prove creative dance is the most beneficial form of dance training for children under the age of eight, and KICKS has taken this theory to new heights. Self-expression and physical exploration are developed using creative imagery along with dance props. Put it all together and it makes dance a theatrical adventure for your child.

Coordination

Within all the fun, we insert exercises for posture and carriage making it easy and natural to learn how to move with grace and control. Physical conditioning & body development improves as your child works through safe exercises that emphasize body awareness and coordination. KICKS makes sure every child's dance education is complete without the need for harsh discipline or mundane repetition. Dance is embraced as a joyful experience preparing every student for more structured and personal discipline after the basics are learned.

Music & Rhythm

All music used at KICKS is pre-selected to assure every song is age appropriate and inspirational for the children enrolled. Music awareness is encouraged as your child is introduced to a large variety of styles. Classical, jazz, world, big band, Broadway, pop and, of course, Disney favorites and other popular children's music are used to make every class an adventure in music. Rhythm instruments and special exercises help teach rhythm basics. Tempo & rhythm are also explored with the use of a drum, keyboard or through movement games. Understanding music becomes fun and easy!

Classroom Behavior

Every class at KICKS places a strong emphasis on classroom behavior & manners. These concepts include learning how to take turns, following a fellow student or leading the way, waiting patiently, working together with others, showing respect for self, classmates & teachers and having a positive attitude. All of these skills will be needed throughout a person's life - in and out of the classroom. By setting good examples and using positive reinforcement, every lesson will reinforce these life skills.

Concentration & Observation

For all dancers, there is a time to perform and a time to be self-absorbed, learning about the body through the pleasure & freedom of movement for movement's sake alone. At KICKS, the classes are closed to visitors and parents. This will free the students to take risks with their movement, focus on their feelings and perform for themselves and not others. Concentration, focus and understanding are easier for children when the class can proceed without interruption. We make every class focused by shutting the doors on the outside world to make the world of dance the center of attention. We understand your desire as parents to share the dance experience your child is having and for this reason we are equipped with a two-way observation window in every dance room (Parents can see in but students cannot see out). Children are more comfortable knowing their parents can see them and parents can witness their child's excitement and progress. In order to keep this special window open at all times, we ask that you refrain from knocking, tapping or calling out to your child. Please take turns with other parents - viewing on different weeks - to keep lobby congestion down to a minimum.

Studio Facility & Equipment

KICKS' facility is designed to be motivational and attractive, inviting each child to embrace dance enthusiastically, but careful planning makes the room productive in others ways as well. Color marks on the barres and coded floor spots make the class procedure organized and progressive. With less time needed preparing before activities, we can spend more time having fun. All props and activities are tested for safety and a system for keeping materials clean and upgraded is followed to ensure a dance environment that is both safe and healthy for our students.

Parents Part

At KICKS, we believe that an important facet of any children's activity is the line of communication between the school and the parents. Throughout the year, you'll receive our studio newsletter, DANCE NEWS!, designed to keep you up-to-date and informed about studio events, recital information, practical tips and more. We believe that if you are educated about KICKS' programs and events, you will be better able to share in the dance experience with your child.

Videos Coming Soon...

364 Wilmington Pike
Springwater Plaza, Suite C
Glen Mills, PA 19342
Phone:  610-558-3350 / Fax:  610-558-4010
Email: kaod@verizon.net
Map / Directions
Add Me to Mailing List

"Great organization.
The teachers are very professional, but still sweet with the younger girls."