Children’s Dance – 5 to 12 years of age

Expression and creativity in dance.

Children’s Dance (Movement & Expression)

Children’s Dance at the Setúbal Regional Conservatory is an activity that combines expression, movement and creativity, helping children develop essential skills for healthy growth. Dance is one of the oldest performing arts—alongside theatre and music—and remains a powerful educational tool because children learn through their bodies, rhythm and interaction with others.

Why Children’s Dance matters

In early childhood, children discover the world through movement. Dance supports psychomotor development and builds body awareness, helping children to:

Explore their bodies and what they can do;
Understand space, time and rhythm;
Gain confidence and overcome limitations;
Develop motor, social, emotional and cognitive skills;
Strengthen creativity and self-expression.

Goals of Children’s Dance

Children’s Dance classes at Setúbal Conservatory aim to:

Expand expressive movement, using varied gestures and body rhythm in play, dance, games and social interaction;
Explore movement qualities and dynamics, such as strength, speed, endurance and flexibility, gradually recognising bodily limits and potential;
Develop control of movement, improving locomotion skills and adapting motor abilities in different activities;
Build coordination and dexterity, through actions such as grasping, fitting, throwing and handling materials and objects;
Develop a global body image, identifying body parts and encouraging care and interest in one’s own body.

How classes work

Children’s Dance is taught through a psychomotor and educational approach, promoting:

Awareness of the body and its expressive possibilities;
Orientation in time and space;
Teamwork, rules and shared learning;
Motivation and enjoyment in the learning process;
As a product of human creation, dance is part of movement culture and, in an educational context, it supports knowledge-building and contributes to children’s overall development.

Dance styles explored

Throughout the year, children explore different styles and their basic principles in a progressive, age-appropriate way:

Criative Dance
Classic Dance (Ballet)
Modern/Contemporary Dance
Jazz Dance
Street Jazz / Hip Hop
Rhytmic Dance

Groups / Classes

A – ages 5-7
B – ages 8-12

Instructor: Ana Paixão Ferreira

She attended the Faculty of Human Kinetics, majoring in Dance, and the Lisbon Polytechnic Institute, where she studied at the Higher School of Dance.
She has collaborated on various projects spanning a range of dance styles and musical theater.
She holds a Level III certification from the Engym Gymnastics School of the Portuguese Gymnastics Federation, recognized by the IPDJ, along with a valid coaching license.
Extensive experience as a choreographer in various sporting and cultural events and performances.
Founder of the RitmiDance dance workshop, with support from the Portuguese Gymnastics Federation since 2014, which features the participation of national and international choreographers, dancers, coaches, and gymnasts.
Teaches dance and gymnastics classes at various schools and colleges.
She is currently also a coach at Sporting Clube de Portugal for the Competitive Rhythmic Gymnastics class.

Faqs

In this section you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the courses, activities and organisation of the Setúbal Regional Conservatory. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please contact the conservatory office for further assistance.