Why dance?
Dance is an excellent way for children to develop physical skills such as balance, flexibility, strength, posture, and agility. With each new routine they master, children are learning discipline, self-confidence, the importance of good listening, and (for group dances) teamwork.
What children’s classes do we offer?
We offer three different types of children’s classes at Kirkham Dance:
Dinky Dancers (18 months – 3 years)
Ballroom, Latin American, Freestyle, Fun Dances (3 years +)
Dinky Dancers
Our Dinky Dancers class is for children aged between 18 months and 3 years. Its aim is to give little ones their own space in which to enjoy movement to music, with upbeat songs, nursery rhymes, and props to encourage focus and engagement.
Anyone who would like to bring their child along to any of our classes should first get in touch via our Contact page. You can also click here to see our class timetable and here for our FAQs.
Ballroom, Latin American, and Freestyle
In this class, we cover a broad range of popular dances:
Waltz, Cha Cha Cha, Quickstep, Jive, Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Freestyle, and Fun Dances!
Elisabeth choreographs a routine for each type of dance, which pupils learn over the course of several weeks. All routines for children are based on the United Kingdom Alliance Dance syllabus (UKA Dance). Following this syllabus allows our pupils to take medal tests approximately once every 6 months. Whilst not compulsory, we encourage children to take them for their own personal sense of achievement. Any children who do not want to take medal tests will still be taught to the same standard, following the same routines.
We offer Ballroom, Latin, and Freestyle classes for 3 different age ranges, which broadly correspond with ability levels:
Intros (Ages 3 – 7)
A class for children aged 3 – 7, who have never danced before, or who have some limited dance experience but would like to feel more confident in the fundamentals before moving on to more advanced classes.
Dances taught in this class:
Basic routines in Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha, Jive, and Freestyle
Juniors (Ages 7+)
A class for children aged 7+, who have either moved up from the intros class (with age and experience) or who are joining us at an older age.
Dances taught in this class:
Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive – all with a wider range of figures
Advanced (Age group non-specific)
A class for older children and young people who are confident and experienced dancers, either through moving up through the dance school, or by having attained a similar level of dance experience elsewhere.
Dances taught in this class:
Waltz, Cha Cha Cha, Quickstep, Jive, Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Freestyle – all including more advanced figures
In every case, your child’s dance journey starts by getting in touch with Elisabeth. She will carry out an initial assessment over email or phone, and advise on which class would be most suitable for them to join. You can find our contact form here. Click here to see our class timetable and here for our FAQs.
Street Dance
Street dance is an energetic, creative style of dance. It evolved during the 1970s outside of dance studios, in any available open space (hence “street” dance). It includes a wide range of styles, such as breaking, locking, and popping, and encourages interaction and contact with spectators and the other dancers.
Our Street Dance class is for children aged 7 and older, and is incredibly popular! No prior dance experience is required – just lots of energy, attitude, and rhythm.
Anyone who would like to bring their child along to any of our classes should first get in touch via our Contact page. You can also click here to see our class timetable and here for our FAQs.
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