Dancers use their whole body! They move through space, change speed and freeze like statues. Clear a space and let us dance.
Personal space and general space
Personal space is the bubble around you – stretch your arms out and turn: you should not touch anyone. General space is the whole room or yard that everyone shares.
Ways to move
| Travelling (moving across the space) | On the spot |
|---|---|
| walk, run, hop, skip, jump, gallop, glide, slide | reach, bend, stretch, twist, turn, sway |
Words that describe movement
- Direction: forward, backward, sideways, up, down
- Speed: fast, slow
- Force: lightly (like a feather), strongly (like a giant)
- Freely: loose and floppy; tightly: stiff like a robot
Stillness and motion
Moving and then freezing makes a dance exciting. Try: run lightly for 4 counts, freeze for 4 counts, glide backward for 4 counts, freeze!
⚠️ Rolls, somersaults and flips must only be done on a soft mat or grass with a teacher or grown-up watching.
TRY ITDance space
Choose a game.
Let’s practise
Try each one. Then tap Show answer to check.
1. Name three ways to travel in a dance.
Show answer
For example walk, run, hop, skip, glide, gallop.
2. Name four words that describe movement.
Show answer
For example forward, backward, lightly, strongly, fast, slow, freely.
3. What is personal space?
Show answer
The bubble of space around your own body.
4. Make a sequence: move, freeze, move, freeze. Which moves did you use?
Show answer
Your own answer.
5. Where is it safe to roll?
Show answer
On a soft mat or grass with a grown-up watching.
Quick check
1. What is general space?
Show answer
The whole space everyone shares.
2. Is a twist a travelling move or an on-the-spot move?
Show answer
On the spot.
3. Why freeze in a dance?
Show answer
Stillness makes the movement stand out and is exciting to watch.
Words to know
Say these words with a grown-up. Can you use each one in a sentence?
personal space · general space · travel · forward · backward · lightly · strongly · freely · glide · freeze
Try it at home
- Play freeze dance with your family using music you like.
- Make a 3-part sequence: travel, freeze, travel. Show a grown-up.
- Describe your sequence with 3 words (for example: forward, lightly, freeze).
For parents and teachers
After this lesson, your child should be able to:
- move the whole body in personal and general space
- use 4–6 words to describe space and dynamics
- create short sequences with stillness and motion
- try new ways of moving, such as gliding
- describe ways of travelling
The freeze-dance drum is made by the page itself (no internet audio). Make sure there is a clear, safe space with no sharp furniture corners.
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