The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Dance in Primary Schools

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Dance is an important part of the Primary PE curriculum, helping children develop creativity, coordination, rhythm, confidence and self-expression. But for teachers without a dance background, knowing where to start can sometimes feel daunting.

The good news is that you don't need to be a dancer to teach dance. With the right teaching methods, music and practical resources, every primary teacher can help children explore movement, develop their own ideas and create engaging dance performances.

In this guide, we'll share practical advice on teaching dance in primary schools, including how to find the beat and phrase in music, introduce the principles of dance, choose appropriate teaching methods and develop children's creativity.

Whether you're teaching EYFS, KS1 or KS2, you'll discover ways to make Primary Dance lessons progressive, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

Why Dance in Primary Schools?

Dance is an essential part of the Primary PE curriculum, offering children opportunities to develop physical skills, creativity, confidence and self-expression.

Unlike activities focused primarily on sport, dance encourages children to explore movement, respond to music and communicate ideas through their bodies.

Here are five reasons why teaching dance matters in primary schools:

1. Develops Physical Skills and Coordination

Dance helps children develop balance, coordination, agility, spatial awareness and movement control. Through travelling, turning, jumping and balancing, children explore different ways their bodies can move.

2. Encourages Creativity and Self-Expression

Dance gives children opportunities to explore ideas, emotions, characters and stories through movement. Rather than simply copying routines, children can create, adapt and perform their own movement sequences.

3. Builds Social Skills and Teamwork

Working in pairs and groups encourages children to communicate, cooperate, share ideas and make decisions together. Creating a group dance provides opportunities to develop teamwork and respect for others' contributions.

4. Develops Memory, Sequencing and Problem-Solving

Learning and creating dance sequences involves remembering movements, recognising patterns, responding to rhythm and making creative decisions. These activities provide opportunities to practise concentration, sequencing and problem-solving within dance lessons.

5. Supports Confidence and Emotional Expression

Dance provides opportunities for children to express themselves, try new movements and experience success in different ways. A supportive and inclusive environment can help children develop confidence in their abilities.

For educators looking to take the next step, our primary dance lessons and scheme of work is designed to help teachers deliver progressive, creative dance from EYFS to Year 6.

Key Elements of a Successful Dance Lesson

A successful Primary Dance lesson combines clear learning objectives, movement exploration, creativity and opportunities for children to practise and improve.

Whether you're teaching EYFS, KS1 or KS2, these seven elements can help you plan engaging, progressive dance lessons.

1. Clear Learning Objectives and Structure
Start with a clear focus for the lesson. Children might be learning to move in time with music, explore different levels, develop a movement sequence or work together to create a dance.

Keep objectives simple and build activities progressively so children understand what they're learning and why.

2. Warm-Up and Cool-Down Activities
Begin with an engaging warm-up that prepares children for movement while introducing the lesson's theme or skills.

Use simple movements, travelling activities and rhythm exercises to help children become comfortable moving.

Finish with gentler movement and reflection, giving children an opportunity to recognise what they've learned.

3. Developing Rhythm, Beat and Musicality
Understanding music is an important part of learning to dance.

Help children recognise the beat and phrase through clapping, stepping, counting and moving in time with music.

As their confidence develops, introduce changes in tempo, rhythm and musical structure to help them make creative movement choices.

4. Encouraging Creative Expression
Dance isn't just about copying steps. Children should have opportunities to explore, create and adapt their own movements.

Use simple creative challenges, such as exploring different levels, changing direction or expressing a character through movement.

Encourage children to make choices and explain their ideas.

5. Exploring Different Movements and Dance Styles
Introduce children to a range of movements, dance styles and curriculum-linked topics.

Combine teacher-guided activities with opportunities for children to practise, experiment and create their own movement sequences.

This helps develop movement vocabulary, coordination and creativity.

6. Inclusive and Collaborative Learning
Plan activities that allow every child to participate, regardless of experience, confidence or physical ability.

Adapt movements, space, pace and levels of support where needed. Use partner and group activities to encourage cooperation, communication and shared creativity.

The focus should be on each child's learning and progress, not everyone performing identical movements.

7. Constructive Feedback and Reflection
Give children opportunities to practise, improve and reflect on their dancing.

Use simple questions such as:

• What movements did you create?
• How did you use the beat or phrase of the music?
• What could you change to make your sequence more interesting?
• How did you work together as a group?
• Encourage children to recognise their progress and identify what they might explore next.

The most effective Primary Dance lessons balance structure with creativity, giving children the skills, confidence and freedom to develop their own movement ideas. 

Essential Teaching Methods and Strategies

Successful dance lessons in primary schools rely on dynamic teaching methods that engage young learners and nurture their creativity. Here are several effective strategies to consider:

1. Modeling and Demonstration Demonstrate each movement step-by-step. When teachers model dance techniques, from teaching rhythm and beat to executing basic steps, students can better understand and replicate the actions, this is called "Add on" and is a great way to get all children doing the same movements at the same time in unison.
2. Guided Improvisation Allow time for creative exploration through creative dance teaching strategies. Guided improvisation encourages students to experiment with movement, respond to music, and develop their own styles, making lessons both fun and expressive.
3. Use of Visual Aids and Props Enhance learning by incorporating visual cues and props such as scarves, ribbons, or percussion instruments. These tools help illustrate concepts like primary dance curriculum elements, making abstract ideas like rhythm and spatial awareness more tangible.
4. Interactive Games and Group Activities Utilise interactive games and partner work to boost engagement and build teamwork. Group activities are excellent for engaging dance activities for children, as they promote communication and collaboration while reinforcing dance concepts.
5. Differentiated Instruction Recognise that every student learns differently. Employ a mix of auditory, visual, and kinesthetic teaching methods to ensure that each child can grasp and enjoy the lesson. Tailoring instruction to various learning styles is essential for teaching dance in primary schools.
6. Feedback and Reflection Incorporate regular opportunities for constructive feedback. Encourage students to reflect on their performance and provide peer feedback, which can reinforce learning and boost confidence in their abilities.

By integrating these creative dance teaching strategies into your lessons, you can create a vibrant and inclusive learning environment.

Our 6 Movement Principles of Dance

• Travelling: Learn how to move gracefully through space to create fluid, engaging choreography.Our 6 Principles of Dance
• Turning: Master dynamic rotations that add energy and direction to your dance routines.
• Jumping and Leaping: Incorporate bursts of energy and height, making movements more exciting.
• Balance and Stillness: Build control and poise, giving your dance moments a powerful sense of stability.
• Levels: Explore the creative use of varied spatial positions to add depth and interest.
• Gesture: Use expressive movements to communicate emotion and tell a story through dance.

Ready to dive deeper into each principle? Click here to read the full article on our 6 Movement Principles of Dance and discover practical teaching strategies for every aspect of movement!

Can I Teach Dance as a Non-Specialist in Primary Schools

Teaching dance as a non-specialist can seem daunting, but with the right approach and resources, you can create engaging and effective primary dance lessons even without a formal dance background. Here are some strategies to help you build confidence and deliver dynamic lessons:

1. Utilise Structured Lesson Plans: Rely on pre-designed lesson plans that break down each step of the dance routine. These plans help simplify complex concepts, making it easier for you to guide your students through teaching dance in primary schools without needing extensive dance expertise.
2. Start with Simple Movements: Begin with basic movements and warm-up exercises that emphasise teaching rhythm and beat. Simple activities, such as clapping to the beat or basic step sequences, can set a strong foundation for more advanced choreography later on.
3. Leverage Multimedia Resources: Use videos, interactive tutorials, and visual aids to demonstrate techniques. Multimedia tools can serve as a virtual mentor, helping you and your students grasp essential dance concepts without the pressure of live demonstration.
4. Embrace Guided Improvisation: Allow room for creativity by incorporating guided improvisation. This approach not only engages students but also removes the pressure from you as the instructor, fostering a more relaxed, exploratory learning environment under non-specialist dance teaching methods.
5. Focus on Clear Communication: Use clear, simple instructions and repeat demonstrations as needed. Breaking down movements into manageable parts and providing frequent feedback can help bridge the gap if you're not an expert in dance.
6. Encourage Peer Collaboration: Foster an environment where students support and learn from each other. Group activities and partner work can alleviate some of the pressure on you and enhance the overall learning experience.

By incorporating these creative dance teaching strategies, you can deliver engaging lessons that build confidence in both you and your students. Remember, the goal is to make dance accessible and fun, so don't be afraid to experiment and adjust your approach as you gain more experience.