I am looking for ideas of what you put into your dances for ages 3-6. What are some steps you do and some "cutesy" moves you put in? Thanks!

I would suggest to listen to the piece of music because you will get some ideas from the music. Include the basic ballet and or tap steps that they have learned during the year. If the little dancers are very vocal you might let them sing with the music also. I hope that I helped you out. Any other questions just post.

~missdancediva~

I would agree with the comments made above...I like to try and use at least 3 or 4 different steps throughout the song without making it too complicated for the kids to remember. Tapping their toes to the side, toe/heel (front to back), shuffles...always nice to try! Using cues from the songs and having them do the motions is also something they love to do..and will always remember on stage...Hope that helps!

For 3's - I have place flowers in a cirlce and then the dancers "ballet walk" to a flower, stand in first, do a simple port de bras with the teacher, tendu to a la second, rond de jambe leg to back, lower entire body to a sitting position. Have dancers taking turns, one at a time, either travel around the outside of the circl and back to their places or dance freely in the center and then back to their places. Gently lift flowers towards center, stand up: flowers in, flowers out, free dance and back to places.

Me and my Teddy - follow words, make up simple moves to match the lyrics.

Oh, love "The Green Grass Grows All Around" - Barney
Too cute, I use all port de bras. 1st for the "hole in the ground", Vaganava 3rd (most everyone else's 5th) for the "tree", one arm open to elonge from the 3rd or high 5th while the other hand is touching the shoulder for "branch", arms in 2nd for "nest", whole body shrinks to small ball for "egg", dancers travel for "bird flys" and then back to places. On the chorus - turn for "the green grass grows all around"

4's - Under the Sea from "The Little Mermaid". Make up dance following cues in music.
I have very cute "mouse" dance. I'm afraid I don't remember the composer for the particular piece of music. I've had it for so, so long on tape...I think the piece refers to a clock. It has a little "tick,tock,tick,tock" motif right in the beginning. Anyway the mice play while the cat is away, until the end of the dance where the cat "jumps" out to catch the mice, mice have to run back to "mouse hole".
Also a "Fairy" dance to which ever piece of classical music is my favorite that month.

5' - then I get into "stories" Shopkeeper story, Princess stories, Unicorn stories.
Also I teach them a simplified "Tarrantella"

Hope this helps!

The creative movement class I teach is blended in with tap, but I'm sure some of these moves could be used in other areas...
Anyhow, here are some "cutesy" steps I use ... hopefully they get some ideas flowing:
Jump out, jump in (arms going out, then in at same time as feet go out and in)
Heel drops (Usually put hands on knees. Sometimes I have kids swivel their feet side to side as they drop their heels)
"Boogie woogies" in plain English, alternating heel drops.
Side-together-side-dig (maybe not an actual "cutesy" step, but kids still look cute doing it...)