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!

Parent Observations......

If you do not already offer this as part of your program---spring is a great time to offer a special Parent Observation Day for your classes that you teach to young children.  Many programs are opting to not have young preschoolers participate in a large spring recital--it is usually more of a negative experience for young ones.  Host a special Parent Presentation Day and let your students shine in their own area of strength---and allow the parents to see all that their child is learning in your program!  It's always a very entertaining day! :)

Be sure to explain to parents during each exercise what you are working on and trying to accomplish.  They will very much appreciate this---to many parents some exercises may just look like play.  Let them know that they have a purpose!

Have fun!

Successful, Creative Teaching...

Taken from Joanne Bath's studio notes:

Joanne Bath

THE P's OF SUCCESSFUL TEACHING:

Positive Instructor Involvement

Play

Posture for fun!

Practice things together

Positive environment

Praise

Participation

Peers

Play music

Persist

THE C's OF SUCCESSFUL TEACHING:

Cheer

Congratulate

Change

Conquer

Challenge

Contemplate

be Considerate

be Consistent

be Creative

be Calm

be Cognizant

be in Control

be Confident

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

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!

Needs of Little Ones.....

We have witnessed so very many dance classes over the many years of being in this industry.  You have the uninterested dance teachers that just want to 'get class over with'--and not the least bit interested in young children; treating their classes like some kind of sentence.  Then, you have the ones that think teaching 'Where is Thumpkin' and the 'Hokey Pokey' can actually count for dance instruction---they love the kids; but are teaching them zilch.  Then, there is the rigid, hard-core teacher that wants preschoolers to have perfect technique and stand at attention.  Then there is the misguided dance education majors that have been taught that preschoolers should be just fine and do nothing but walking and pausing for thirty minutes.  What a waste!

Young ones are capable and deserve so much more than this!  They crave eye contact, variety, challenges that are age appropriate, and passion for creativity!  Let's not waste this wonderful opportunity we have been given---to work with little ones.  We have a chance to make an investment for life!

Teachers Need to Also Be Students

As dance teachers of little ones it can become easy to lose focus of the need to also be a student.  We need to be a student of life---and definitely remain a dance student ourselves.  It is important to nourish our own souls and dance passion with classes and performances that keep our enthusiasm and art polished, and enabling us to pass on new inspiration to our young students.

A soul left unnourished will soon wither.  If you are an instructor of young ones be sure to invest in yourself so you can keep investing in your students.  Enjoy!

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

Forward Thinking......

So many people let the past hold them back--they need to move forward in order to find success.  What is your current career situation?  Is it in the unstable world of corporate America--where you never know if you will have a job when you wake up?  Is it in the school systems---where positions in dance, theatre, and music are being cut right and left (or non-existent in the first place)?  Don't get stuck in a rut feeling that you have no choices.

Do a life assessment, decide to be a conqueror, don't be a complainer, learn new habits, choose to help others, consider moving in a new direction.  These short ideas are the beginning of a possible new life and career change for anyone that is ready to move on into a great opportunity!  If your heart love children and you would like the control and freedom that comes from owning your own business---move toward making that happen.  The most successful individuals are those that do what they love and love what they do.  Today's the day!

A Great Note from a Parent.....

"My son attends the Wed. afternoon dance class.  The purpose of this E-mail is to probably tell you what you already know:  your program has terrific teachers!

I happened to pass the classroom a time or two last semester (prior to my son's enrollment) and it looked like everyone was having fun and the instructor was full of life.  I asked a parent of one of the students what they thought of the class and they said they loved it.  So I signed my son up for the semester.  I could not be happier with the class and your teacher's overall approach.  She not only teaches them how to be creative with their dance moves, but also allows them the freedom to make the setting as comfortable as possible for them.  My son is very apprehensive about new situations and new faces.  At the beginning he took more of an observer status.  Your instructor did not force him to participate in anything that he did not feel comfortable with; but by the same token she didn't forget that he was "participating" in his own way and would always be sure to call on him for his "turn" whether or not he actually waited in line.  Each week he participates more and more in class in the traditional sense.  He really loves dancing now and the interaction with the stories.  And of course the instructor's bubbly personality and the exuberance helps keep everyone interested and dancing.  I feel very fortunate that my son has been able to have such a positive experience with dance class and just wanted to let you know how much we love our teacher."

Dance is so very powerful for young ones---especially when instructed with the right heart!

Even in the Worst of Times--Children's Dance Grows!

Our nation is so focused on its children that, even in the worst of times, franchises and businesses serving children's needs continue to grow.  "America will always have a soft spot for its offspring." states Entrepreneur Magazine in the January 2009 issue.  www.entrepreneur.com   Many times in hard economic seasons people think that there is no way they can do what they love as a career---BIG MISTAKE!!   That is where many go wrong.  It is IN what you love and have a heart for that will be your most successful career.  There have been some wonderful articles in business magazines and trade magazines on this very fact.  The most successful and fulfilled individuals are following their heart's desires and putting the talent and passion they possess to work.  People are leaving their corporate and other jobs to take on the excitement of owning their own business doing what is near and dear to their heart.   I am sure their are many dance instructors out there that are not investing their passion each day.  What a shame.  I hope that some of these entries over the past several days have offered inspiration and encouragement ---- that this is a wonderful, thriving industry that needs passionate educators, artists, and administrators.  The need is out there---just the right people need to fill the positions!

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

Why Dance?

We ran across a great article written by April Sgro Riddle.  In it she says:

"Of the three performing arts disciplines--dance, theatre, and music--dance is uniquely the most accessible to children and young people.  This is especially true in multicultural communities in which language is sometimes a barrier to student participation in activities.  Dance movement is basic to to being a human being-from expressing deeply felt emotions, to the physical expression of music, to just the joy of movement itself.  Dance can reflect and validate social organization and preserve cultural values.  As an art form it reflects humanity's quest for excellence and achievement."

Dance provides a wonderful opportunity to bring together many cultures in a loving and united classroom.  Dance classes offered to young children in areas that include many cultures see a wonderful meshing and excitement about joining classes----excitement that is not seen with other activities offered to children.

Nurturing Tots to Teens......

It is important for dance and theatre arts teachers to know their abilities and be willing to admit them.  Very few teachers can teach the two extreme age groups:  tots and teens.  There are a few, but not many.  The strong programs out there that keep success solid and students and families returning each year have teachers that teach within their abilities.  Teaching little ones is not just babysitting.  A good early childhood dance instructor knows how to blend a genuine love for children with the ability to keep order and structure in the classroom; and at the same time nurturing students' engagement and enthusiasm.  They must also know how to communicate and deal with parents in a very professional way.

There are many challenges to teaching young children in the arts; but the rewards are more than worth it.  If you are a teacher in this industry---make sure that you know your abilities and are teaching within them.  Parents and students quickly pick up on teachers that are outside their sweetspots!  The programs that are strong and successful have well-trained instructors that excel in the ages that they teach.

Dealing with stress......

It can be stressful at times constantly pouring yourself out into others---and exhausting working with little ones!  Here's a quick checklist  from Suzanne Martin, PT, DPT to help with stressful times---and possibly to avoid them:

To Avoid Stress:

Get up earlier

Organize your calendar

Arrive early for appointments

Anticipate others' time management issues

To Reduce Stress:

Go with the flow

Practice assertive conversation closers

Take warm baths with Epsom salts

Ask yourself:  "How important is it?"  when things come up

To Relieve Stress:

Unwind

Get worries and frustrations off your chest

Exercise (something other than dance!!)

View the entire forest.  Take off the blinders; you know what you are doing

__________

Suzanne states that it is much healthier to learn to strategize to cope with stress than spend so much energy trying to get rid of it.  Here's to a less stressful 2009!

Creativity is Key

Young students need to have an outlet for creative expression; it provides a feeling of accomplishment that helps them in other areas of their lives.  The arts can serve as a tremendous asset towards helping children develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.  Listed among many benefits of dance are confidence strengthening and character building.  What's more, the cultivation of creativity is a major component of any successful program and strategy designed to produce positive outcomes for little ones.  There are so many programs out there that only use their classes for young ones as a playtime.  Savvy parents clue into this and are very unsatisfied; as well as the students gain absolutely nothing from participating in the class.  Young students are capable of so much more than most educators give them credit.  Preschoolers love learning age-specific dance technique and being given challenges that stretch their skills.