Dance @ Home | Canada's National Ballet School

Creative Movement supports the development of the whole child, fostering expression, collaboration and creativity while developing fundamental aspects of physical literacy. Below you will find step-by-step videos, activity plans, and more to help your child discover the joy of creative movement—all in fun and engaging activities that are easy to do at home. The age-ranges are approximate and we encourage you to dance together as a family. If you are looking for more activities to keep your family active during this time, visit NBS' Online Learning Space, which offers a variety of freely available online dance resources that can be adapted for home use. 

Growing a Seed
Follow along with Ashleigh Powell, for a fun class for kids ages 3-6!

Making Soup
For a fun class for kids ages 3-6, follow along with Nancy Lehan as she dances her way through making soup!

Cardiovascular Dance
Follow along with Ashleigh Powell for an engaging class for kids ages 6- 8!

Creative Movement Activities
Keep your kids dancing at home with these fun shorter movement activities below! Activity Plan PDFs are linked below the videos and include in-depth instructions and ideas about how to connect movement to other important skill development. 

The Bounce

Start by learning the basic bounce. This foundational movement will help you keep the beat and move with style. As you get the feel of the bounce, learn how to layer in your footwork and upper body to groove in your own freestyle.

The Rock

Now that you’ve learned the up and down motion of the bounce, learn the forward and back motion of the rock. Add in footwork like the outlaw step and the grapevine.

Hands

Did you know that a lot of hand movements in hip-hop are inspired by the gestures MCs would use while rapping? Use these hand gestures to add meaning and story to your movement. You can also try using angles to add emphasis. 

Party Dances 1 & 2

Did you know that a lot of hip-hop moves were originally done at parties in big groups before ever being done on the stage or in music videos? Learn the first three party dances: the Prep, the Biz Markee, and the Bart Simpson.

Free Style

Now it’s time for you to improvise. Use all of the movements and tools you’ve learned and put them together in your own unique way. 

Basic step

Get started by learning the basic step. This foundational movement will help you find the beat. Imagine your floor is like the drum as you tap your feet in front of you. Then, build on the basic step by practicing it with a bounce and travelling.

Footwork

Now that you know the basic step, take it further by learning some different footwork variations. Make sure to balance out your movements by repeating everything on both sides.

Travelling

Did you know that almost all powwow dances travel in a clockwise direction? Use some of the footwork you already know to move through space.

Crowhop Challenge 

Now that you’ve learned the powwow and hip-hop movements, follow along with Angela as she puts them together in the first half of the choreography.

AND MANY MORE...

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