This two-hour workshop will demonstrate adaptable movement techniques for exploring books, curriculum units and social emotional learning in the early childhood classroom. Participants will learn to scaffold the creative process of using a book as a springboard for making dances. This process supports early learning goals while emphasizing curiosity and creativity and promoting social-emotional and gross motor skills. We will break down making a simple movement phrase, dancing a book and exploring a single idea multiple ways through movement to build confidence in creativity. We will demonstrate cooldowns that promote calm for caregivers and students. Participants are encouraged to bring a book or a unit topic to the workshop for full group collaboration on dancing a story or theme.

This course addresses the following age band(s):

• Early childhood - middle (36-60 months)
• Early childhood - late (5-8 years)