Dance Teacher To Dance Teacher
Like most of you, I love children and dance is my passion. I am concerned about the impact of some of the latest trends in choreography themes in the last few years.
Like most of you, I love children and dance is my passion. I am concerned about the impact of some of the latest trends in choreography themes in the last few years.These days, children are bombarded by negative influences almost everywhere they look. They are fed an unending stream of doom, gloom, impending disaster, sad events, and warnings that are often exaggerated for dramatic effect, persuasion, manipulation, or to bring awareness to a particular tragic event.These accentuated negatives are infused in video games, television shows, movies, music, news, social media and even choreography. I understand that many feel justified and may believe they are doing everyone a great service by presenting what they perceive are the dark realities of life. Concentrated focus, however, on such negatives can be detrimental to everyone, especially children.
Our mindset is affected by the information we take into our subconscious. When negative information is packaged to elicit an emotional response of sadness, fear, and panic; this can deeply alter our thought processes and decision making. Studies have shown that subjects who are in the throes of negative emotions such as anger, fear, and depression LOSE 30 to 40% of their reasoning ability.The same negative emotions also affect physical wellness by altering chemistry in our bodies to prepare for flight or fight. What may help us to survive in real danger, can be injurious to health by continuous replication of a traumatic event.
Young children have no protective filters to sort fiction from truth. I've been to dance competitions where every dismal, sad event, and disaster known to human kind, was choreographed to equally sad music and performed by very young children who were rewarded for "sharing this important message". Because this constant "Trauma Drama" through practice and performance can be harmful to the young participants and observers,I am working to increase awareness among dance educators. As previously stated, my mission is to be a positive force and voice through my dance education songs and choreography as well as be an advocate for better music, choreography, and costume choices for children.
If you are concerned the judges only want serious "Trauma Drama", then it is time to educate or replace some of the judges. The judges should be knowledgeable in all areas of dance education including kinesiology, early child development, sound technique, and an awareness of what is appropriate for the psychological, and physical development of the dance student. A self taught back up dancer for a rock star, no matter how talented as a performer, is NOT a suitable judge for Ballet, Character, Lyrical,Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, or Modern in my opinion.
As dance educators, we CAN help children become the best they can be by being that positive light in their precious young lives. Wishing you only the best,Pat Fields Kilgore
Our mindset is affected by the information we take into our subconscious. When negative information is packaged to elicit an emotional response of sadness, fear, and panic; this can deeply alter our thought processes and decision making. Studies have shown that subjects who are in the throes of negative emotions such as anger, fear, and depression LOSE 30 to 40% of their reasoning ability.The same negative emotions also affect physical wellness by altering chemistry in our bodies to prepare for flight or fight. What may help us to survive in real danger, can be injurious to health by continuous replication of a traumatic event.
Young children have no protective filters to sort fiction from truth. I've been to dance competitions where every dismal, sad event, and disaster known to human kind, was choreographed to equally sad music and performed by very young children who were rewarded for "sharing this important message". Because this constant "Trauma Drama" through practice and performance can be harmful to the young participants and observers,I am working to increase awareness among dance educators. As previously stated, my mission is to be a positive force and voice through my dance education songs and choreography as well as be an advocate for better music, choreography, and costume choices for children.
If you are concerned the judges only want serious "Trauma Drama", then it is time to educate or replace some of the judges. The judges should be knowledgeable in all areas of dance education including kinesiology, early child development, sound technique, and an awareness of what is appropriate for the psychological, and physical development of the dance student. A self taught back up dancer for a rock star, no matter how talented as a performer, is NOT a suitable judge for Ballet, Character, Lyrical,Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, or Modern in my opinion.
As dance educators, we CAN help children become the best they can be by being that positive light in their precious young lives. Wishing you only the best,Pat Fields Kilgore