The effects of practice on the bilateral transfer of complex dance movement patterns were studied by having subjects learn two sequences under eight different conditions. Results indicate that teachers have been correct in expecting students to transfer movements bilaterally (from one side to the other) but should teach to the nonpreferred side.…

Using the movement approach, a physical education teacher has designed a k-6 program in which concepts are organized to progress from unit to unit as well as from grade to grade. The program helps children retain skills and information. Content progressions for striking (net games) are shown. (PP)

Summarizes and provides a historical introduction to the work of Emile Jacques-Dalcroze. A turn-of-the-century educator, musician, and theorist, he developed eurythmics. This was a method of teaching music through movement that is still popular. Discusses basic principles of eurythmics and other methods. (MJP)

Discusses the importance of a well-defined program for motor development in early childhood education. Presents suggestions for implementing a program that involves movement skills, physical fitness, and perceptual-motor development. (PCB)

Finds that, for 120 boys and girls in a rural Maine elementary school, a 36-week physical education program incorporating dance and movement education produced significant improvement on a wide variety of fundamental motor, physical fitness, and balance skills. Contains 17 references. (SV)

Suggests activities to help toddlers develop skills in the four important areas of self-help, creativity, world mastery, and coordination. Activities include hand washing, button practice, painting, movement and music, bubble making, creation of a nature mural, and a shoe print trail. (TJQ)

Proposes that dance is a language with its own symbols, gestures, and aesthetics with the power to communicate complex ideas and thoughts. Outlines how discussion, analysis, and criticism can be crafted from three major elements of dance: (1) space; (2) time; and (3) energy. Asserts that students can learn to read dance as a visual text. (CFR)

Includes "An LEA Example: The Changing Provision in the East Midlands" (Summers, Glazier); "Contribution of RACs (Regional Advisory Councils)" (Bailey); "The WEA" (Hull); "The Medau Society" (Weedon); "National Federation of Women's Institutes" (Hall); and "The Work of a Validating Body: The…

Surveys some of the research in music education that validates the inclusion of music for its own sake in models for early childhood learning. Focuses on topics that include, but are not limited to, child and vocal development, the importance of movement for children, and adult involvement in music education. (CMK)

Studies contextual factors informed by cultural experiences and their influence on learning task performance in 15 African American and 13 white children. The African American children performed better when allowed to coordinate movement and music to the learning task while white students had the opposite results. (GR)

The author discusses how nonverbal actions in young children are powerful communicators of experience, both past and present, and proposes new ways to observe, analyze, and reflect about these silent signals. The article describes the author's Ways of Seeing program, which uses principles of dance movement psychotherapy, the discipline of…

The creative arts--including music, movement, dramatic play, puppetry, painting, sculpture, and drawing--are a crucial part of early childhood. Not only do the arts allow children to express themselves, but creative activity can enhance development of children's skills in literacy, science, math, social studies, and more. This engaging collection…

This paper is a reflection on the process of dance choreography, an assignment for pedagogical evaluation at postgraduate level in an Indian university. It is also a recapitulation and reconstruction of my experiences while undergoing a Master's course in Bharatanatyam (a style of classical dance) in the Centre for Performing Arts (CPA),…

This annual report discusses several topics related to the work of the Research and Clinical Center for Child Development. Six topics are covered in the report. The articles are: (1) "Development of Intentional Behavior in Early Infancy" (Hongtu Chen); (2) "An Investigation of the Differences of Social Space in the Playroom: Through…

Eurythmy is a disciplined art of movement of the arms and body that visibly expresses the vowels and consonants of speech and the tones and intervals of musical melody. In the classroom, eurythmic movements have a therapeutic function in which the child's development is supported and enhanced through its various stages. This article discusses the…