First Steps – More Than Just Learning to Dance 🩰

Watching a very young child take their first steps into a dance class can be a lovely moment. They may be a little unsure at first, fascinated by the mirrors, excited by the music or simply keen to copy what everyone else is doing.

At Lisa Mason School of Dance, First Steps is exactly what the name suggests – a gentle, fun and friendly introduction to dance for our youngest dancers.

But at this age, dance is about much more than learning steps.

Learning through music and movement

Young children learn by doing. Moving to music gives them an opportunity to explore what their bodies can do while having fun.

In First Steps, children are encouraged to move, listen, copy, balance, stretch and respond to music. Little by little, they begin to develop some of the basic physical skills that will eventually form the foundations of dance.

They are also learning things which extend well beyond the dance studio.

Nobody expects a young child walking into First Steps to know how to dance. That's the whole point.

They are there to explore, learn and enjoy themselves.

Why movement matters at this age

There is a good reason to encourage young children to get moving.

UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that children aged 1 to 5 should aim for at least 180 minutes of physical activity spread throughout each day.

Dancing is specifically included among the activities recommended for young children.

The guidance also highlights the wider benefits of being active during the early years, including supporting movement and coordination, muscles and bones, brain development and learning, social skills, relationships and sleep.

A dance class is only one small part of an active childhood, of course, but it can help children discover early on that moving is something to enjoy.

No pressure to be perfect

One of the most important things about First Steps is that it isn't about producing perfect little dancers.

Young children develop at different rates. Some will confidently join in almost immediately. Others may want to watch for a while before they decide to have a go.

That's perfectly normal.

Lisa's aim is to create a positive first experience of dance where children feel comfortable enough to participate at their own pace.

For a young child, successfully joining in with a movement, remembering what comes next or simply having the confidence to take part can be a real achievement.

Those little successes matter.

An experienced teacher

Teaching very young children requires a very different approach from teaching older dancers.

Lisa has many years of experience teaching children and is a qualified dance teacher and choreographer with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD).

First Steps therefore isn't simply about keeping children entertained for a class. Activities introduce children to movement, music and the foundations of dance in an age-appropriate way while keeping the emphasis firmly on enjoyment.

And because First Steps takes place as part of Lisa Mason School of Dance, children are becoming familiar with a dance school they can grow up in.

Where could those First Steps lead?

For many children, First Steps is simply a lovely activity to enjoy when they are little.

For others, it really does become the beginning of something much bigger.

As children grow, there are opportunities at LMSD to progress into Ballet, Modern and Tap, work towards BATD examinations and take part in shows, community events and performances.

Over the years Lisa has watched children develop from nervous little beginners into confident young dancers.

Nobody knows where those very first steps might eventually lead.

But every dancer has to start somewhere.

Come and take your First Steps with us 🩰

If you're looking for a friendly introduction to dance for your little one in Haverhill, we'd love to welcome you to Lisa Mason School of Dance.

There is no need for your child to have danced before. First Steps is where they begin.

Dance. Perform. Belong.

📩 Get in touch with LMSD to find out more about First Steps, current class times and availability.