So, I've started working on leaps in most of my young jazz classes. Obviously, I don't expect them to be perfect at this point, but I'd like for what they're doing to at least RESEMBLE a leap. Haha! Some of my kiddos are just natural leapers. Others, not so much. I'm trying hard to get the ones who are having trouble to understand the concept. I provide them with multiple explanations and imagery. I demonstrate. I've had them leap over small pieces of carpet (don't fall in the "puddle!") Nothing seems to work with these particular students.

Do you have any tricks up your sleeve?

Thank you!

For a while make the ones who don't get it slow down and stretch one leg over the carpet and then leap onto that leg. That will keep them from hopping or doing something funky instead.

I hold hands with them, run and leap as their partner. I don't want them to feel embarrassed or singled out so I try not to make a big deal out of it and either take a turn with each of the kids or partner everybody up. They think it is lots of fun to keep adding to the group: first leap alone, then partners, then 3, 4, more. This also helps them to know how to count the runs and make sure they all leap at the same time. Good cooperative learning exercise.

I had an assistant one time in a beginning ballet class, we did a lift with each of the girls so we could hold them up and help them leap slowly so they could get the legs right. It also helped them get the feel of flying so they wanted to jump higher. That was the most successful thing I have every done to get little ones leaping. We did it every few weeks and worked on a new aspect of the leap - first the actual leap motion, then straight legs, then pointed toes - and the girls LOVED it!

When I don't have an assistant I use puddles, but I make the puddles bigger and bigger; or I put two pieces of tape on the floor and they have to leap from one to the other. I make it a real stretch for them so they have to work harder and it forces them to straighten their legs if they want to leap that far.

I have also used the "puddles", and I stress correct form when I demonstrate so that they are able to see that this is not a sautee or a hop, it is different.

I use all my different dance shoes, and line them up in pairs across the room. We start with the shoes close together, and they have to step before the shoes, and then over the shoes -but never in the middle!

Once they get it with the step, I spread the shoes out so they have to jump a little farther, then a little farther, turning it into a leap.

The kids love it!

I too hold them-actually by their triceps to help give more leverage.

I break it down super slow, stressing each element of the leap...The Passe, the Developpe, and then the leap landing in plie with the other leg staying in arabesque.

We walk up to the object we are jumping over (usually a ribbon placed on the floor) and then execute the broken down leap. Once that is mastered, we ballet run up to the ribbon, stop and then do the broken down leap. Once that is mastered we try to execute a proper leap with a ballet/jazz run not stopping before the leap.

It takes anywhere from 4 weeks (for students that pick up quickly) to a year or more (for the less advanced student)before getting to the point of going straight through the leap.

I like to stress all elements so that they understand it better and have a better shot at getting it correct with placement and stretched feet.

Good luck-Slow it down and make it fun for them

Thanks guys!