When children feel regulated, confident, and empathic towards others, they have a greater chance of academic and social success. A Report of the Early Education and Care Advisory Committee (EECAC, 2004) outlines the necessary skills children need to successfully navigate their transition into kindergarten. These skills are defined as: effective communication of needs, thoughts, and feelings; physical health and safety, including adequate motor development; emotional well-being and curiosity for learning; social competency skills for positive peer and caretaker relationships; and appropriate cognitive skills for academic learning (Early Education and Care Advisory Committee, 2004).
Rainbowdance® fosters these necessary skills by focusing on nourishing children’s self-esteem, self-regulation, and social empathy. In our Transition to Kindergarten model, we offer children a fun and safe way to explore the challenges they may face in the formal school environment. Through storytelling and movement improvisations, we address themes such as friendship, sharing, creativity, self-esteem, self-control, and nonviolent solutions to threat.
The Report of the Early Education and Care Advisory Committee (Rep.). (2004). Retrieved from http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/REEarlyEdCareAdvisory.pdf