A 2004 study conducted by an exercise-science professor from University of South Carolina found preschool children ages 3-5 did not get enough physical activity.
The study examined the activity of 281 children at preschools in churches, private programs and Head Start. The children received an average of 7.7 minutes an hour of moderate to vigorous activity.
Kinderdance, a nationwide dance, motor development, music, gymnastics and fitness program, helps to combat the still present issue among preschool and school-age children by helping them become more physically active while combining academic skills into weekly lessons.
Tracey Evans of Shallotte recently purchased a Kinderdance franchise and will teach classes in Brunswick, New Hanover and Horry S.C., counties. Evans has a degree in dance education as well as a K-12 teaching certificate and has more than 10 years experience teaching dance.
“Teaching dance is the only job I’ve ever had,” she said. “I came across Kinderdance, and when I saw how they incorporated education, that got me excited.”
Kinderdance travels to individual schools, having classes once a week for the entire school year or summer. This is more convenient for parents, Evans said.
“Trying to get a 4-year-old to gymnastic class at 4:30 is difficult,” she said. “This streamlines things so there’s no extra gas costs, no parents rushing around and the child can get the activities in their actual school settings.”
Evans will have the first Kinderdance program in Brunswick County this week.
Kinderdance offers five programs: Kinderdance, Kindergym, Kindertots, Kindercombo and Kindermotion.
Kinderdance is for ages 3-5 and is a developmental dance/movement and fitness program that teaches the basics of ballet, tap, acrobatics and creative movements while incorporating educational concepts.
Kindergym is for ages 3-5 and is a developmental floor gymnastics program that emphasizes social and motor development, physical fitness and movement education. It also helps students learn numbers, colors, shapes and words.
Kindertots is for 2-year-olds, teaching numbers, colors, shapes and songs while working on motor skills, movement creativity, physical development and body awareness.
“As students are dancing, if we are talking about moving our head, I show them their head. Instead of looking at a word, we are using or moving that part,” Evans said. “It connects the two parts of the brain.”
Kindercombo is for ages 6-9 and is a combination of ballet, tap, and modern dance, focusing on dance basics.
Kindermotion is for ages 3-12 and focuses on developmental education through motor skills, physical development, fitness, nutrition and imagery.
Evans said all programs are done to music and use props to keep students interested. Classes can also be tailored to individual groups and students with special needs.
Schools using Kinderdance services can either have the cost of classes added to their tuition or charge parents a separate fee.
Free 30-minute demonstrations are offered to schools with no-obligation to start services. For more information, contact Evans at 209-4604 or at tracey@coastalkinderdance.com
