Movement and Creative Expression in Early Childhood Education

Course description-objectives

 This course will facilitate students to understand the tangible nature of knowledge in dance, and (b) to perceive the body as a means of action, reflection and cultural creation. The objectives are summarized as follows: (a) approach creativity as a form of individual expression combined with the existing knowledge, and (b) contact with the diverse forms of expression in the art of dance. Students will work on improvisational activities, which are the context of exploring the aesthetic qualities of dance, developing creativity and communicative skills. In addition, although the experiential approach of movement remains technically simple, the course involves reflective discussions based on ideas from various artistic and/or scientific fields.

Learning outcomes

 Students will perceive dance as bodily movement organized into patterns that occur in time and space, and they will understand how organized human movement functions in theater, pantomime, storytelling, music and other types of performative behavior.

Evaluation

 It includes the design of a series of dance lessons with interdisciplinary approach, or an individually written paper focusing on the theoretical analysis of dance, drawing from the readings and discussions within the topics of the course at the end of the semester.

Teaching methods

Experiential movement practices based on imitation, free or guided discovery, problem solving, and improvisation or contact improvisation techniques. Theoretical analysis of the context and content of contemporary dance through lectures and reflective discussions is included.