The primary objectives for this class are to build a love for dance, discover how to use movement as a form of self-expression, master basic developmental skills, become comfortable with standard classroom etiquette and introduce musical awareness skills. Little dancers love to move and pretend.

JHSOD utilizes these natural tendencies to gently introduce them to the dance world. Young dancers need to work in their own body space, wait their turn, and learn to respect the studio and the teacher. Children will be introduced to the basic ballet positions, age appropriate stretching exercises, correct posture and very basic tap skills in a positive and creative environment.

Consistency in class structure provides an atmosphere that will give dancers a feeling of control and accomplishment as they will clearly understand expectations and be able to anticipate the next activity. Their imaginations will be stimulated and coordination skills will improve as rhythm, beat and time, opposites, directions and elementary ballet positions are taught. Other areas that will be worked on include body & spatial awareness, large & fine motor skills, coordination & balance skills and group participation.

Educators know that training young children in the concepts of movement, sequencing, patterning and spatial relationships lay a strong foundation for the later development of reading, mathematics and other educational skills. Children at JHSOD work actively in all of these areas.

Kinder and 1st Grade combo classes work on the same concepts but in a greater degree of complexity. Music counting abilities are developed. Opposition of legs and arms while skipping, galloping and balance are utilized. Rhythmic patterns become longer and more complex. Weight transfers are taught in more complex patterns.

These classes teach the building blocks of ballet, tap, correct terminology and more complex combinations. Memory skills at this age allow for a faster learning pace than preschoolers. Classes are taught with a great deal of imagination and games to peak the children's interest as well as trigger quicker comprehension.

The primary objective of this level is to slowly introduce students to a more traditionally structured class. This is the transition level between combination classes and separate subject classes. We will be introducing more technique and terminology in both ballet & tap be used to introduce the movements.

While creative dance and the use of props will still be present in many forms, students will be gently guided into longer activities demanding self-discipline, focus and control. We will be expressing to dancers the many benefits of each style of dance as a way to prepare them for choosing their own subjects the following year.