A dance parent unenrolled her child after our instructor read a book in dance class. How can I best educate my dance families on the importance of incorporating books with dance class? 

Special Guest Once Upon a Dance
Once Upon a Dance offers movement, breath, joy, connection, and imagination through stories.

Their catalog of 25 interactive dance books highlights positive messages and role models throughout four main series:
 Dance-It-Out! stories combine whimsical tales with movement and subtle life lessons (spans ages 4-9)
Dancing Shapes peeks at a professional ballerina's journey, teaches ballet, and explores detail and form (spans ages 6-11)
Ballet Inspiration and Choreography Concepts deep dives into technique, tips, and insight for aspiring dancers (ages 8-12)
Prop-Based Dance Stories for Classroom and Anytime Fun debuts in 2023 to encourage scarf and parachute play.

Visit DanceStories.com to learn about the mother-daughter duo, book details, charity partners—all royalties donated through 2030, or parent/teacher resources. Follow @Once_UponADance for upcoming sneak peaks, dance photos, and the latest on their goofy cats.

About the Authors
Teacher Terrel arrived in Seattle after a Peace Corps stint teaching English and dance. Complementing decades of dance instruction, Terrel worked in early childhood education and for non-profits supporting kids. She was recognized by her local City Council for "embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community" for her work with young dancers. Her daughter realized her dreams and is a full-fledged professional ballerina.

How to Connect with Once Upon a Dance:
Website: https://www.dacnestories.com
Website: https://OnceUponADance.com
Website: https://CreativeMovementStories.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/once_uponadance/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponADanceViralDancing

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/OnceUponADance   
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/onceuponadance

Topics covered today: 

• How to use Books successfully in a Dance Class. 
• Setting Expectations and Educating Families on what they can expect from your classes before registering. 
• The benefits of utilizing Children's Literature in Dance Class

Show Notes:
Florrie Flamingo
Podcast Episode: Season 3 E6 My Author Journey! Creating Florrie Flamingo® and Friends

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My students will only dance if they hold my hand, it's causing disruptions in class.
How can I best structure a shorter 6-8 week dance session so all my students can feel challenged and nurtured. 

Special Guest Maria Hanely
A passionate advocate for early childhood dance education, Maria Hanley specializes in teaching ages 0 months to 6 years. She has left NYC to teach dancers in the greater Cleveland area. Currently, Maria is teaching early childhood classes at The Mandel JCC, Hudson Conservatory of Ballet, and virtual classes with BOLD Arts!

Maria has designed and implemented creative ballet programs for the young families and after school division at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan and the Mandel JCC in Cleveland, OH. Maria has taught a variety of creative dance and infant/toddler programs throughout New York City and Cleveland, including The Mark Morris Dance Group, Dancewave Center and 92Y Parenting Center, The Beck Center, Cleveland City Dance, Solon Chabad Preschool, Park Preschool, JDN preschool, and Ganon Gil.

Maria authors the blog Maria’s Movers (www.mariasmovers.com) where she shares creative ideas and strategies for teaching young dancers. The blog unites a community of teachers who are inspiring our youngest dance artists every day. Maria holds a Master’s degree in Dance Education from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in dance from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Maria served on the Dance/NYC Junior Committee for 2 years and presented at the 2012 Dance USA Conference. She also presents at the Dance Teacher Summit in New York City!

Additionally, in 2020 Maria started a dance and movement subscription box service called Move & Bloom.

How to Connect with Maria:
https://mariasmovers.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mariasmovers

Topics covered today: 

• Working through disruptive behaviors in a positive way.
• How to restructure activities to limit anxiety in dancers. 
• How to structure shorter 6 week dance sessions for success. 
• Meeting the needs of all students in a shorter dance session.

Show Notes:
Separation Anxiety Webinar
Separation Anxiety in the Dance Studio
Dance to Learn® Podcast Season 4 Episode 9: Separation Anxiety 

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Ask Jessica - Your questions/challenges/problems may be addressed on air! 

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How can you teach class without a theme? Should you teach dance without a theme? How do you prioritize your class flow to ensure nothing important is missed? How can you structure a large class to ensure no child is missed?

Special Guest Corey Lozier
Corey Lozier is a dance teacher, studio owner, and dance education resource creator who specializes in tap dance for early childhood. Corey pulls from her hands-on experience with her students in the classroom and from her time in the professional dance world to create her resources and lesson plans. Corey is passionate about the benefits of imagination and rhythm-based dance on students of all ages, and she loves sharing her ideas. 

How to Connect with Corey:
https://www.dancedancehooray.com
https://instagram.com/dancedancehooray
https://www.facebook.com/dancedancehooray

Topics covered today: 

• Why themes are important in a preschool dance class. 
• What should you prioritize in your class flow? How can ensure that you get to all the important items?
• How can you ensure all students are prioritized in a large class?
• What is the best way to to teach choreography to a large group? 
• Tap music, skills, and more! 

Show Notes:
Dance to Learn® Membership
Dance Dance Hooray Tap Membership
Dance Dance Hooray Tap Dance Lesson Plans

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