On Knowing and Learning: On my learning about early childhood education and dance

Today I participated in a class discussion with my professors and fellow classmates of the Middlesex University master’s in dance programme.  The topic we talked about is a familiar one: on knowledge and learning.  One would think that after the time I have been studying this topic as part of my master’s programme, it would be an old topic by now.  However, the understanding of knowing and learning is an unfinished discussion in constant refinement.  Perhaps because learning is a process, an evolution of continual learning, a constant restructuring of existing frameworks and re-understanding of previous experiential learning and new learning one may have as an artist and as a teacher.  

My topic of inquiry is dancing in early childhood education in Costa Rica.  I am an educator and a dancer with many years in this field, yet however I am still analysing, refining and learning about this topic. I stand today in deep study and evolving my knowledge about dance education of early childhood re-reading and re-learning theory from a dance and educational perspective seeking best practices and a sound philosophical grounding.

One of the academic exercises I am finding I must do as a student is learning to integrate knowledge and learning about general education in early childhood and knowledge and learning about dance education itself.  Although both are extraordinary professions, I find that some of the most famous pedagogy authors have specialised exclusively in academic writing of general education without extending it to dance.  This educational theory must be adapted and analysed for our field of dance education in early childhood.  However, happily, there is a huge change in perspectives and more and more academics in education are beginning to perceive the importance of dance in early childhood. In the past dance was not seen as a central taught subject in early education, as has been physical education and music.  

Presently, as a professional in this field I am very excited to find this literature about the importance of movement in early childhood development and learning, giving dance the importance and protagonism that it should have in early childhood development preschool programmes.   My knowledge and learning on this topic are evolving with my new understanding of this extraordinary literature that I was able to start reading this Summer, and I am still studying to gain a deeper understanding of this field.

It is fascinating to observe the great change that my frameworks of knowledge undergo as one is exposed to new learning.  A great example of this is how my understanding and learning has shifted upon further research in my field as I began my inquiry into early dance education in Costa Rica. My newfound knowledge and understanding of the importance of child movement and dance education has indeed shifted in my understanding of childhood development itself.  Dance is not a ludic activity, but rather locomotion is a fundamental building block in childhood learning and brain development.  

All current literature and research confirm that students learn by receiving information through their five senses. The child breaks away from babyhood and becomes explorer of the world through locomotion.  The child’s nervous system activates, and the dancing child becomes a stimulated and receptive child, cognitive development, physical development all domains of development reaching potential neuro plasticity in early childhood at its peak.  The dancing child is alive, stimulated and ready to grow, mature, develop and learn.  

Early Childhood Dance Programme end of the year presentation 

with my youngest students and oldest dance students  as assistants, 

Adriana Porras and Mariana Solano

As I learn such important knowledge of my field of inquiry, my paradigms of knowledge are enriched and as a student I continue to strengthen my frameworks of understanding.

Furthermore, as I seek to deepen my philosophical grounding of my research.  My knowledge is shaken and enriched as I explore the teachings of dance of Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean Costa Rican dance traditions.  As non-colonised dance traditions, these dance cultures are developed with a rich and original grounding of the concept of man, life and dance.  

As I open my mind to new learnings, my frameworks of knowledge are shaken to their very core.  I find myself a humbled dance student once again, inspired and enriched by new knowledge of dance in early childhood in the rich tapestry of Costa Rican dance culture and diverse traditions.  I find myself wanting to close all books, dim the lights and turn on the music.  Wishing to relearn dance through the embodied experience of dance exploration.

A little bit of Costa Rican Indigenous Dance and Culture: 

The Fiesta de los Diablitos translates as the Festival of Little Devils, but its true meaning is closer to the Festival of the Ancestral Spirits. This annual celebration takes place in Boruca and Rey Curre, two villages that are home to the Brunka indigenous tribe. The town of Boruca celebrates the three-day festival at the end of December or beginning of January, while Rey Curre holds their fiesta during the first week of February.

- Rob Traquair

A little bit of Folklore Costa Rican Dance:

Interpretation of a folk dance that originates from Costa Rica. Done by Compañía Folklórica Flor de Café, based in San Pablo de León Cortés, Zona de los Santos, Costa Rica. Recorded in Barcelinhos,
Source: YouTube Folk Dances Around the World