You might be aware of what coordination is. If not, then you need to know it to understand coordination in dance, and this is what I will discuss in this guide. This is something not too complicated and can be easily understood.
Coordination is teamwork that involves your muscles and your conscious thoughts to make movements possible. It only begins in infancy because this is when a child learns to grab things from his hand. Then this multiplies from here into the planned movements that turn out to be purposeful.
Let’s look deeper into it so you can grab the concept and easily understand how this entire thing works.
Coordination in Dance
Now that you have an idea of coordination, I want to give an overview of coordination in dance. It is something considered a result of motor skill development. Motor skills are developed because of purposeful movements.
However, purposeful movements are not just random movements; they are properly planned according to a situation, like dance, where most movements are choreographed and practiced before performing in front of everyone.
Coordination In a Dance Class
It is suggested not to rush your child to achieve the perfect techniques in a dance class. It develops with time, and you cannot expect your child to be a dance champ right after you admit him to the classes.
There are many minor and different growth and development activities. If you want your child to perform movements correctly, especially the classical movements in ballet dance, you must do these activities.
Being consistent with these activities is the key and make sure your child follows these activities every day. And when the time is right, you will see your child brilliantly mastering the complex movements in the dance.
The details of the movements can be discussed and worked out individually or as a team. This largely helps the child to direct his muscles mentally.
3 Stages of Coordination in Dance
There are three different stages in coordination in dance which are as follows:
1. Basic Stage of Coordination in Dance
This stage is also known as bilateral coordination. This is the stage where you know that the basis of all coordination is a symmetry which involves a muscle between the two sides of the body. In other words, the movements that appear symmetrical in shape make up the basic or bilateral stage of coordination.
Examples of this could be swinging arms in unison, jumping on two feet, sit-ups, jumping jacks, and nodding head up and down. Rising on two feet and bending and stretching both knees are also examples.
Movements like running, walking, and skipping are also a part of this category, as both sides of the body are used. All these movements can be used to improve coordination at any age.
2. Transitional Stage of Coordination in Dance
The transitional stage is a much more asymmetrical stage. You can easily identify this stage in a child’s first attempt to march. You will see her using the same arm and leg instead of working in opposition.
When you see this, you are suggested to neither comment on nor correct it since the child is in her developing stage. This prime stage overlaps the basic and final stages that help achieve the final product.
This stage is established in the neuromuscular system first. A dancer needs to secure this stage to easily produce various head and arm positions needed to be used with any body movements.
3. Final Stage of Coordination in Dance
This last stage includes cross-lateral or collateral coordination and is all about the natural use of arms in opposition when running or walking. When children are learning classical ballet, they need to be well into this last stage.
Once the child reaches this stage, he is exposed to unlimited variations and patterns that she can learn to perform well. Also, a child must only be forced to perform at this level once she is ready because forcing her against her will can cause significant coordination issues later.
This is because children perceive dominance when they reach the age of 7, which has a lot to do with coordination. You can also see all three of the above stages of coordination in a young child in the same class, but you still need to compare them because every child is built differently.
Conclusion
Coordination in dance is a very important rule in dance. The general rule of thumb when trying to improve coordination in dance is to work with nature and not go against it. Just stick to this rule and see how far you can go with your dancing skills.
Please let me know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article. Thank you!
FAQs
When you can achieve a steady balance for a few minutes, you can slowly bring your leg down to several inches above the floor and back again. When you repeat this action a couple of times, you can exercise your muscle control which helps improve your dance coordination.
Coordination is said to be imperative in dance. It makes the choreography seem effortless and a pleasure to watch. Good body coordination always gives better agility and balance, improving your posture and sports performance.
Coordination helps minimize conflicts, rivalries, delays, wastages, and other organizational problems. It also ensures the smooth working of an organization. Therefore, an organization can easily and quickly achieve its objectives with the help of coordination.