Abstract

Dancing in an educational setting is a joyful and powerful means for growth and multimodal learning. Dancing Through the Alphabet, Dancing Math, Dancing Science, Dancing is Being, are four teaching and learning programs, drawing on dance as creative expression and on the reciprocal stimulation of dance, spoken and written language. By stimulating the envy and capability to express oneself and one’s knowledge through dance, language learning, mathematics, science, philosophy or other subject learning is enhanced. The core idea is the expression of the self and the perception of previous subject comprehension and further development of skills. Dancing contributes essentially to establishing a fruitful space of learning with immediate and perceptible interaction between teacher, peer learners and the subject learned. Creativity and play, tactile perception and motoric activity are involved in the learning process. Thresholds are lowered and learners eagerly explore fields of knowledge previously experienced as difficult to access. Effective acquisition and sustainable storage of knowledge is enhanced. A continuous development in literacy takes place. Critical reflection is encouraged in a broader view on knowing and being. Concentration and cooperation skills improve. Multiple intelligences are used and cognitive capacities are developed. Participants with varying cultural and language backgrounds, exchanging experiences and references, embark at equal terms on joyful journeys through fields of knowledge.