I desperately need some tips/ ideas for center floor work and across floor in my Lyrical class. These are beginner students age 5 to 6. Honestly, any fun ideas to help them crasp lyrical would be so wonderful!!!

What I used to do with my little ones:

Center warm up/stretching, just get them moving. Some days when I felt like being silly I just let them dance however they wanted to music of their choice to get warm, then guided through some specific stretches for each major muscle group.

Then we'd work on across the floor stuff...chassés, pique turn prep (just bringing the foot to passe), "high kicks" a la chorus line - even beginning jumps.

Next we'd spend some time working on turn prep, then as the class progressed even further we'd throw in a turn or two...turned in pirouettes, attitude turns etc.

Then the kids favorite part of the class would be to learn a simple "2 counts of 8" dance. I'd break it down, show how to utilize all parts of the body - then we'd put it together and have a mini "dance recital" at the end of class. I'd make notes of what worked well and what didn't for when I decided to start work on the end of the year dance. As time went on we'd replace this with actually learning the end of the year dance.

The very end of the class we'd spend some time doing partner stretches and splits.

At the very end we'd all sit in a circle and talk about what we learned today and the girls would give each other a hug if they wanted to.

Everyone seemed to have a good time, and I kept the kids active enough so they didn't get frustrated or bored. My girls ranged in age from 5-9.

Wow! Thank you so much for taking time to answer. I've tried to get advice before on this topic and no one ever responded. I am a Jazz dancer more than a lyrical dancer, so it's nice to know that I can add just technique and creativity and still have a fun lyrical class. Thank you so much!

I am teaching pre-teens (10-13)as well. Do you have any fun tips for me on this level?

I haven't had to teach a class of pre-teens before, but you can emphasize technique and vocabulary a lot more. Lyrical dance is about expression so it's important to try to get the kids to "feel" the music...I think that that's why letting the kids make up their own dances, especially at a younger age, is good. Use whatever background you have - ballet, jazz, whatever. There are a lot of crossovers in dance, especially in lyrical. Worst case scenario if you get stuck, ask to sit in on some other instructors classes to learn a trick or two, or even speak with the director. Hard to give specific advice over the internet, just go with your gut and make notes of what works and what doesn't and learn from each class.

Muah!!! Thank you for what you have given me!!!