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Welcome to the March 9, 2026 issue of The Navigator. This is your weekly 3-minute studio update. 

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS | Student Progress

Last week I shared the Pure Dance Works Roadmap with you.

I'm sure you're proud of the progress your child is making in their dance class this season. In the Sparkle Program, we are laying a foundation of pre- and primary-dance skills that will serve our students well when they graduate into the Ripple Program. 

The curricula we utilize introduce key elements of dance technique that coincide with students' developmental abilities. It would take pages to describe the vast array of skills Sparkle students practice through the course of their participation in the program. 

Since I imagine you don't have that much time, I'll just highlight a few of the baseline goals we aim to instill in students of all dance styles by the time they finish Sparkle 6 and graduate to Ripple 1.
 

• Legs: Consistently uses the correct leg; demonstrates proper use of straight or bent knee; identifies basic foot positions for the style
   
• Arms: Consistently uses the correct arm; demonstrates proper use of straight or bent elbow; identifies basic arm positions for the style
   
• Alignment: Tall spine; beginning understanding of aligning head, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles
   
• Musicality: Counts musical beats and rhythms and understands how to move on the beat

Teachers work with students in these areas and many others, providing personalized coaching and correction to help each student progress. We want each child to feel confident as we head toward the next level of training.

Here’s an example of how we’re working on musicality this month.

Ella’s class is sitting in a big circle. She stands up and announces, “My name is Ella.” 

The teacher asks, “How many sounds does ‘Ella’ have? Let’s clap it. El-la (claps 2 times).” 

Ella’s classmates answer “2 sounds!” Then they clap and chant “El-la, El-la” as she skips around the circle and returns to her spot. 

Next, Alexandria stands up. The class discovers together that “Al-ex-an-dri-a” has five sounds. Everyone claps and chants, “Al-ex-an-dri-a” as Alexandria takes her turn around the circle.

This is one way Sparkle students are learning about rhythm this month. While they practice listening to sounds and moving with them, there is even more going on during this activity.

They are learning about syllables and how words can create a rhythm just like music can. Students bravely announce their names. Classmates cheer one another on with their chant as the dancer proudly moves using a locomotor skill of their choosing to the sound of his or her own name. 

Kids and teachers may have different reasons, but all in all, this Circle Dance activity remains an annual all-time favorite. 

To get more ideas of how your child is progressing, ask them about the skills they are working on in class. 

The weekly coloring sheets your child brings home are great conversation starters; they always depict something dancers did in class that day. Discussing them and coloring them provide multiple modalities for reviewing and internalizing the lessons they are learning in class. 

Teaching is the final step to mastering a skill, so if your child offers to give you a living room dance class, you can be sure your child has grasped the portions of class they present to you. 

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