Hi Everyone,
I am about to teach a mom and me dance class for the first time. I have taught many classes for 3 1/2 yr olds but I'm not sure how to structure a class with the moms and younger students....any ideas and advice for me?
Thank you!

I too am doing a mommy and me class this fall, and am struggling with ideas. I think I am going to concentrate on stretching, going through the same type of play/story stretching I do with my 3 year olds, adding helpful tips for the mommies. And also playing games that involve both kids and adults.

I thought about why a mom would want to take class with their child? What is she going to get out of it? Quality time with her child of course, and possibly an increase in coordination, flexability, and a cardiovascular workout.

I have planned out small dances to fun kids songs (the wheels on the bus, itsy bitsy spider, the twist, etc) using basic motor movements like jumping jacks, skips, hops, clapping, and turns. Making sure its easy enough for the little ones, but has enough energy to benefit the adults.

Also, I am going to play lots of games. for example, with bean bags, playing catch, balancing on heads and walking or racing. I have feather boas they can dance around with. And I've modified the great game of freeze dance to include partners, when the music stops, they must run to their partner, and make an interesting shape, or balance in posse etc. My 3 year olds like to play a game with their shoes that i think will be fun with the mommies too. Grab everyones shoes (there normal shoes, not dance shoes because they are too hard to tell apart) and put them in a pile in the middle of the room. Have everyone start a good distance away, run to the middle and grab two different shoes, putting them on. Each person has to find the person with their shoe-mate, stand next to them until all shoes are matched up.

Sorry this got so long, I just started brainstorming as I was replying. Anyway, good luck with your class, let me know how it goes!

Then visit

little-folks-music.co . . .

I purchased this program 4 years ago. It's a 30-minute class that you can use as a guide and add your own style if you wish! Gari Stein did a great job putting this program together! 30 minutes is the right amount of time for ages 2 and 3 and it changes on a monthly basis, however the beginning, middle and ending are the same, this enables the children to be familiar with their class but always have something new to look forward to. I really suggest this program to anyone doing baby classes or Mommy and Me classes. If you need additional info or thoughts about Gari’s program, email me at TheSpiritofDance@amigo.net

Good Luck ~ Wendy

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