It's Pay What You Wish Week in September at Cumbe Dance
It's about that time again, when parents and families focus on education and enrichment for their little ones. As they develop, it's important to give them the tools necessary to help with language learning, motor skills, social skills and more. Through dance and music, children are given an impacting, yet fun educational experience.
In an article written by Lin Marsh, a singing leader with the British Council's World Voice, she explains the importance of song and dance in early childhood.
"As children, we use our voice and other instruments to express feelings, but they also serve important learning functions — they teach us pattern, pulse, rhyme and structure, without the complication of language; they teach us the way humans bond and express emotion; they give us pleasure and encourage imagination and storytelling," she writes.
Further, she emphasizes that through dance, children learn about spatial awareness and how to socialize. Lin says that children that are especially struggling with language and communication can harness the power of dance and music to express their feelings and needs.
This is why Cumbe has created a comprehensive curriculum for children 1-4. With the wonderful, elaborate offerings of the African Diaspora and through music and dance, children are able to access their creative powers to commune with others and build relationships with diverse cultures.
It's Pay What You Wish Week September 10-16. This is when parents and caregivers can come to Cumbe to check out Cumbe Kidz classes and introduce their little ones to a diverse collection of dance and music experiences. Check out the fun classes offered below. Sign Up Here.
Dance, Drum & Play Around the World with Funmilayo
Sundays (Ages 2-4) 10:15-11:00am
Through play, games, drum, dance, call and response, students will learn how to dance styles and play rhythms from Africa and its Diaspora (Congo, West Africa, Cuba, Brazil, to name a few). This fast paced, interactive class engages toddlers with creative dance movements from Congo, West Africa, Brazil and more. Students will develop balance, flexibility, strength, positive self-esteem, and learn group dynamic skills. Class opens with play, followed by chants and songs. Dance/drum warm ups (including hand and finger warm ups, storytelling and interactive parachute games) transition into games and songs like freeze dance with scarves and ribbons, and the cowbell crawl. Hand drum work with rhythms from Congo, West Africa, Brazil and the Diaspora will help develop hand-eye coordination, listening and focus. Children will be dancing, drumming and singing with joy! Parents and guardians should come ready to play and participate!
Register Here
Journey Through the Diaspora with Courtney Thompson
Mondays (Ages 1-2) 10:15-11:00am
Come take an imaginary journey to Haiti, Cuba, Guinea, the Congo and beyond! Get ready to travel through the African Diaspora with a series of creative movement classes featuring a combination of song, dance, and play — designed to ignite children's creative voices and nurture their freedom of expression.
This is a lively class for toddlers who are comfortable on their feet, featuring games, interactive stories, dance, drum, and song sequences. Parents and guardians should come ready to play and participate!
Register Here
Capoeira with Pena Verde
Saturdays (Ages 2-3) 9:30-10:15am
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines dance, gymnastics, and music. The movements taught in Capoeira class develop children's coordination; balance; flexibility; strength; cardio; rhythm; and creative thinking. They also develop a beginning Portuguese vocabulary by learning the movements and the music of Capoeira. Capoeira is extremely active and gives you the opportunity to express yourself in a fun and positive way!
Register Here
Conga Kids with Olatunji Ojore
Saturdays (Ages 3-4) 10:15-11:00am
Conga Kids is a fun and interactive West African and Afro Caribbean Drumming class where children will travel on a musical journey, learning traditional drumming from: the Congo, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti, Mali and much more! Come explore the rhythms of the African Diaspora with drum, songs, games, and movement. Don't miss a Beat! Parents should come ready to play along with their children.
