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Welcome to the February 23, 2026 issue of The Navigator. This is your weekly 3-minute studio update. 

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS | Opposite & Same

Tapping opposite body parts such as shoulders, ears, knees, hips, elbows, and toes are frequent activities throughout all Sparkle classes. 

Teachers also often ask dancers to perform a movement high or low, small or large, heavy or light. 

What’s up with the emphasis on opposites?

Two things…

First, as younger children grasp the concept of “opposite and same,” they enjoy increased language development and an improved understanding of objects and abstract concepts, allowing them to categorize and describe objects and ideas more easily.

Second, and perhaps even more importantly, we often use cross-body movement to teach opposites, as in, “Tap your same knees...now tap your opposite knees.” Reaching across the midline, or center of the body, stimulates brain growth, develops motor skills, including balance, and promotes literacy skills. 

According to Emma Koontz in Cross-Body Movements: What are they and how can they help increase student focus and retention?

“These movements wake up a sleepy brain and help to cement newly learned material in the memory.”

For Sparkle students, learning about opposites through cross-body movements nurtures cognitive and physical development and helps dancers retain what they learn in class each week. 

Check out this article for some fun ideas that teach opposites.

BON VOYAGE!

Thank you for staying up to date with this issue of The Navigator. You will always find past issues of The Navigator on the Parent Portal. 

All my best,
Tiina

Tiina Hazelett, CEO
Chief Enchantment Officer, Pure Dance Works
Pure | Positive | Progressive