Benefits of Young Children Dancing....

What a special week!! All of our special "Parent Informances" went off without a hitch!! Every single dancer gave their best performance and relished in their special moment in the spotlight when taking final bows and curtsies. Thanks to everyone in the Charlotte Mecklenburg region for your support of our theatre arts family. We have had an awesome year!!

As the weather heats up, we are looking ahead to summer. We have already started with our registrations and classes start next week June 6th. Check out some reasons to get your child in our award winning program!! Below are some of the benefits of young children involved in dance and the arts, taken from National Dance Education Organization (http://www.ndeo.org/).

-Children move naturally. They move to achieve mobility, they move to express a thought or feeling, and they move because it is joyful and feels wonderful.

• -Physical Development- Dance involves a greater range of motion, coordination, and strength than most other physical activities. Dance utilizes the entire body and is an excellent form of exercise for total body fitness. Young children are naturally active, but dance offers an avenue to expand movement possibilities and skills.
• -Emotional Maturity- Children enjoy the opportunity to express their emotions and become aware of themselves and others through creative movement. Movement within a class offers a structured outlet for physical release while gaining awareness and appreciation of oneself and others.
• Social Awareness- Children learn to communicate ideas to others through real and immediate mode of body movement. Children quickly learn to work in a group dynamic.
• Cognitive Development- Young children will create movement spontaneously when presented with movement ideas or problems that can be solved with a movement response. Movement provides the cognitive loop between the idea and the solutiion.

DANCE IS A POWERFUL ALLY FOR DEVELOPING MANY ATTRIBUTES OF A GROWING CHILD.


~ This post was submitted by Stephanie Wilson, Little People's Creative Workshop Charlotte/Mecklenburg Regional Director

Job Positions Available in NC Triangle!

Positions Open in NC Triangle....

We're giving a quick shout out---we are looking for a dynamic teacher for the NC Triangle area region for this summer!  We've had a great response with our classes and are in need of an instructor!  If you or someone you know would love to spend the summer working with young ones in dance---contact us ASAP.

Have a great Monday!

National Dance Week.......

Spring has finally arrived in the Philly area and we could not be happier! This is always a great time of the school year for our dancers to start thinking about what they have been learning each week in class. We decided to celebrate National Dance Week by showing off for our classmates one thing we learned in dance class that we are most proud of! Our students showed off everything from backbends to tendus and passes and leaps to plies! Each student really thought hard about what they wanted to showcase as their "best" dance and they all did great! The parents will be getting a picture of their dancer showing off his/her "best" dance soon and I know everyone is very excited to see how the pictures turned out!!

Balance, Flexibility, and Coordination.....

What an amazing month this has turned out to be! Our students have LOVED the classes and have had so much fun they haven't even noticed how their balance, flexibility, and coordination have improved! It's spectacular to see the growth of students, and their growth is abundantly clear in just a couple of the moves we learned this month. Let's take one student for example:

During our first lesson we learned how to stretch our arms and legs while balancing on our bottoms. We stretch out, say, "Hello!" and then crumple up into a ball saying, "Goodbye!" all while balancing on our bottoms. Needless to say this is pretty tough for young ones. It not only requires balance, flexibility, and coordination but the heavy use of their abdominal muscles. During our first class she rested on her arms, rolled onto her back, and continued to touch her feet to the ground for stability. We kept at it though! After a couple of weeks of practice, continued encouragement, and reminders of what our muscles should feel like while balancing she now is able to do the stretch beautifully while balancing, all while pointing her toes!! Isn't the picture above just beautiful! Fantastic job!!

It's great achievements like this that prove how important it is to keep on trying! Our students learn this important lesson during class and are able to transcribe it to their every day lives. Giving up is not an option. Not in dance class and definitely not during their school work. We teach not only balance, flexibility, and coordination but life skills that will continue to shine through in each of our students' lives!

I can't wait for next month and all of the great times it will bring us!

~  Annie Latterell, Little People's Creative Workshop, Central New York

Marching Into Spring.......

Marching into Spring

It's getting closer and closer to spring and up here in Central New York the snow is beginning to melt (hope I didn't jinx it!) but our love for the arts is growing and growing! It has been so wonderful to watch the students growth through the arts. This month while posting pictures for parents who have students in class I decided to take a look back at pictures from their first class in September ... My goodness! What growth and development! In the beginning "parallel first" was a new concept that took quite a bit of effort to execute correctly. Now, when we stand up on our carpets the student's feet magically know where to be! Terms like "Tendu" and "Echappe" are now part of the children's vocabulary. These classical ballet terms may not be a part of our children's every day use, but soon as they step into class they know exactly what it is, how do do it, and how to pronounce it! Their ability to grow and learn is just amazing and usually it passes us right by. How wonderful it was to go back, critically look at, and appreciate just how much our children learn, and want to learn each day. I'm so thankful for the role that the arts play in this magical development!

Special Story Featured in Lehigh Valley, PA

During a special class a reporter from the Lehigh Valley Times did a story on Little People's Creative Workshop. Check it out.

Dance workshop

Added by Bill Adams on April 22, 2009 at 11:51 AM

Teacher Liz Story shows children how to stretch their legs and shake their feet Tuesday at the Little Peoples’ Dance Workshop at the Family YMCA Early Childhood Development Center in Forks Township. Express-Times Photo | BILL ADAMS

Tags: dance workshop | Family YMCA Early Childhood Development Center | Little Peoples' Dance Workshop | Liz Story

This photo is part of the Day in Photos April 22, 2009 gallery

Little People's Creative Workshop Franchises Allow Children to Express Themselves

Press Release

Greenville, NC – Kids need to have creative expression; it provides a feeling of accomplishment that helps them in other areas of their lives.[1] The arts can serve as a tremendous asset towards helping children develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.[2] Listed among the many benefits of dance are confidence strengthening and character building.[3] What’s more, the cultivation of creativity is a major component of programs and strategies designed to produce positive outcomes for youth.[4]

The Little People’s Creative Workshop concept fits hand in glove with today’s parents’ desire to provide every possible advantage to their children. [5] Not surprisingly, franchises that focus on children’s enrichment, in areas such as art and drama, are experiencing dramatic growth.[6]

American families are spending approximately $115.6 billion yearly on their children, presenting a powerful market opportunity.[7] And there’s no shortage of customers in sight – more than 73 million children under the age of 18 live in America, and their ranks are growing yearly.[8]

Early exposure to dance and theatre can have lasting benefits, including acquiring social and physical skills that will help children throughout their lives. Yet, dance professional Daune Pitman noticed two disturbing trends in dance classes for young children: either the little ones were being taught strict ballet, which was beyond their physical capabilities, or the classes were treated as playtime.

Seeking to establish a meaningful program, Daune developed Little People’s Creative Workshop (LPCW). LPCW classes are age-appropriate and taught by trained professionals. They are largely held in daycare centers and preschools, which puts them within reach of children who may not otherwise be able to take them.

Established in 1991, Little People’s Creative Workshop is now the largest organization teaching dance to children in the U.S. They are augmenting their steady growth with expansion, via franchising.

Little People’s Creative Workshop provides full franchise support services, such as complete training, a comprehensive operations manual, ongoing program oversight, and marketing expertise. Interested parties should contact them at www.LPCWfranchise.com or call toll-free 1-866-977-LPCW.

---

[1] Stuart, Elizabeth. “Children find creative outlet at Provo celebration.” Deseret News. 8 Jun 2008. Accessed 18 Aug 2008

[2] Kristal, Nicole. “Those Who Can Do, Teach (Acting).” The Actor’s Resource Backstage. 16 Jun 2006. Accessed 19 Aug 2008

[3] Miller, Corina. “Woman’s life spent inspiring…” The Dallas Morning News. 16 Sept 2006. Accessed 19 Aug 2008

[4] Brockman, Michael S. and Russell, Stephen T. “Creativity.” Accessed 18 Aug 2008

[5] Wilson, Sara. “Coming of Age.” Entrepreneur. Aug 2007. Accessed 20 Aug 2008

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] “How to Start a Kid-Focused Business.” Accessed 19 Aug 2008

Dance Teachers and Director Needed....

We have come across a need for a preschool dance instructor in the Philadelphia suburban area; as well as western NJ area with Little People's Creative Workshop.  If you (or anyone you know) is interested---be sure to send your resume and cover letter to:  LPCWphilly@aol.com  It is a great opportunity for anyone that loves dance and young children.  Don't miss out!  Pass the word.

Little People's Creative Workshop is also looking for an individual to fill a Regional Director position in the Raleigh, NC area.  Resumes need to be submitted by April 15th to:  LPCW@me.com  This position oversees the program and instructs classes.  Great opportunity!

Benefits of Dance in the Early Years.....

Physical Development 

• Moving safely, imaginatively and with confidence 

• Moving with bodily control, co-ordination, flexibility and balance 

• The development of spatial awareness 

• Dancing with props; developing manipulative skills 

• Experiencing a range of gross motor movements and fine motor movements 

• Keeping healthy - dance as part of a healthy lifestyle 

Creative Development 

• Communicating ideas, thoughts and feelings non-verbally through movement 

• Using the imagination to create ideas, characters and narratives 

• Making movement responses 

• Having an enjoyable, exciting and motivating time 

• Working individually, with a partner and as part of a group 

• Developing trust and co-operation 

• Selecting and using movement ideas independently and with others 

• Exploring feelings and views of self and others - including other cultures and beliefs 

• Accepting the moral code on which discipline and courtesy within the group is based 

• Interacting with a new social group 

Communication, Language and Literacy Development 

• The use of sounds, music, words, poems, rhymes, texts and stories as stimuli for, and 

   accompaniment to dance 

• The use of language to imagine and recreate roles and ideas in the dance 

• Interaction - negotiating plans and activities and developing conversational skills 

• Appreciation - talking about personal dance performance 

• Observation - talking about the dance performance of others 

• Developing a vocabulary of movement 

Hottest New Franchise for Children's Dance!

Check out Little People's Creative Workshop---featured on Red Hot Franchises beginning this month.  To find out more information on this great opportunity visit:

www.LPCWfranchise.com

It's a great time to get going.

Schools Desiring Dance & Theatre Programs...

Many schools - public and private - lack the funding the have a dance or theatre program.  They are very welcoming to well-known programs offering to contract their services out to them.  This saves the schools money (much cheaper than hiring staff and buying curriculum and materials); and it is a wonderful opportunity for programs of reputation to increase their student base and programs.  Little People's Creative Workshop is well-known for contracting with schools to teach their dance and acting programs.  A great expansion opportunity---especially now, as school budgets and staff positions are being cut.

Children's Service Industry Continues to Grow Even in Hard Times

Franchise Gator --- a leading franchise authority and web portal --- states that children's services, especially in the arts category, continue to grow and be the most requested and popular of business buyers.  The children's dance and service industry consistently seem to slip away from the woes felt by many other businesses in hard times.  Starting a children's dance franchise, such as Little People's Creative Workshop, is a super low cost start-up and a proven business system.  Many individuals that desire to own their own business are wise enough to seek out and invest in such franchises when looking to own their own business.

Seeing A Child's Creative Mind

As a dancer and performer since the age of three, I cannot think of a better way for young children to explore movement, enhance creativity and build self-confidence than through dance classes. I have taught many age groups and with many companies, but Little People’s Creative Workshop provides a completely rewarding experience. 

Dance and LPCW, is more than just another form of exercise for the children, it provides an exploration into the arts that all children should be exposed to.  Through LPCW, children are able to learn how to use their bodies as a form of expression and a possible outlet for creative thinking. Learning this at an early age can provide life long benefits for our students; such as better problem solving skills, more self confidence and of-course better coordination.

Personally, there are few things more rewarding than being able to see a child’s creative mind grow and see them move and explore on their own.  I enjoy seeing children approach the lessons in a completely different way than I expected them to and everyday is a surprise! I have grown as a dancer with LPCW because it caused me to look at movement from a child like perspective; giving me a new approach to dance.

I look forward to continue to share my love for dance with young children through Little People’s Creative Workshop.

~Jennifer Delfin, LPCW Northern Virginia Regional Director & Instructor

The Joy of Teaching Dance to Young Children........

"My love for dance started at a very early age.  I was excited every Saturday morning to get up, put on my leotard and get to dance class!  What made it such a wonderful experience for me were my amazing dance teachers.  As I grew older I used them as my role models and saw not only how much passion they had for dance, but for teaching as well.

I always thought I would end up teaching high school or older students in a studio, but once I started working with Little People's Creative Workshop I knew those thoughts were gone!  Ask anyone you know how they get greeted when they come to work.  I bet they don't say by twenty smiling and excited faces screaming your name--and these aren't even the children you teach!

Teaching "little people" brings out the best in a teacher, not only because they make you smile and greet you with hugs so powerful they almost knock you over; but because they are so eager to learn.  LPCW has an amazing curriculum that allows children to explore dance through themselves but yet in a very structured and fun atmosphere!

LPCW is so great for children because it allows them to go off into imaginary secret places while learning how to move their bodies properly throughout space.  At this young age children absorb everything and what makes LPCW so great is that we are able to offer the classes while the children are in school; so they are able to relate things that they are learning to dance and to the arts which most children do not have the opportunity to do!"

                           ~Liz Story, LPCW Regional Director and Instructor

Invest in a Proven Program of Excellence

Time-starved parents are causing businesses that cater to children's services to boom.

Anyone considering starting up their own dance business should weigh all the great benefits of investing in a proven program of excellence that has been around for a long time.  Start-up businesses from scratch have a 90% fail rate!  

The pros of investing in a franchised business are vast.  1.  You are purchasing a proven system of doing business.  The franchisor has already checked it out in the marketplace and found that it works.  2.  It will be turnkey.  3.  National recognition by consumers.  There is already a presence in the marketplace---the path has been blazed.  4.   You have the support of management that will point you in all the right directions.  5.  There are training programs and other forms of follow-up support to assist you in all phases of running the franchise operation.

The children's dance industry is booming right now and the demand is great.  There are so many areas in the nation that have yet to be tapped---waiting for the right service to come their way.   Contact Little People's Creative Workshop for more information about the benefits of the children's dance industry and to find out more about their franchise.  LPCW has been around for 18 years---teaching dance to young children is their specialty.   www.LPCWfranchise.com and www.LPCW.com

It's Easy Being Green.......

By being a dance instructor of young children and working from a home office we can so easily be green.  The February issue of Home Business magazine states that "The benefits of a home-based business are substantial when you consider that energy costs are reduced by approximately 30% when working from home."  Young children do not need a studio setting in order to dance; in fact, it quite often ends up being a huge distraction for them (Ages 3-5).  Going to where the children already are is a much better way to reach them and their parents.

Start educating yourself and preparing for the emerging green growth opportunities that are out there.  For dance instructors that are ready to have their own business, work from home, and be able to concentrate on what they truly love-----Little People's Creative Workshop is expanding their business through franchising.  They are the nation's largest organization that teaches dance to young children and currently cover most of the east coast.  They have been in existence for over 18 years and have a wonderful reputation for high quality and excellence.  It is a home-based business with a low start-up cost.  You can visit their sites for info:

www.LPCW.com

www.LPCWfranchise.com  

If you love young children and the art of dance this is a wonderful opportunity.  For more information on working from home, the February issue of Home Business has listed many great benefits of working from home---visit them at  www.homebusinessmag.com

LPCW Fills the Gap in the Dance Industry

Early exposure to dance and theatre can have lasting benefits, including acquiring social and physical skills that will help children throughout their lives.  Yet, in the past two disturbing trends in dance classes for young children have been noticed:  either the little ones were being taught strict ballet, which was beyond their physical capabilities; or the classes were treated as playtime.

A meaningful program for young children was established in 1991, Little People's Creative Workshop.  LPCW classes are age-appropriate and taught by trained professionals.  Many have attended the International Teacher's Conference held by LPCW over the years--and it has caused their businesses and teaching to grow by leaps and bounds.

LPCW is now the largest organization teaching dance to young children in the U.S.  They have begun to augment their steady nationwide growth with expansion and will be offering franchises in the near future.   LPCW is a turnkey program providing everything someone would need to establish and grow a home-based business with multiple growth avenues.  It is a great opportunity for anyone that loves young children and dance---but wants to be sure they are offering a high-quality, age-specific program of excellence.  Something to look into!   www.LPCWfranchise.com