Offsetting Dyslexia Through Dance

Dyslexia & Dance - Dance Notes creativity blog for teachers

There are reportedly around three children with dyslexia in every classroom. Can creative movement help them?

Little Time

Pressures to work through the curriculum can leave teachers little time to give dyslexic children the support they need. Many pupils go undiagnosed or are only diagnosed after leaving school. So, they often struggle without help for years.

In the 2023/24 academic year, just over 1 in 5 (21.6%) pupils with a Specific Learning Disability (SpLD), such as dyslexia, achieved a grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSE. This compares with more than half of their peers achieving those grades. Dyslexia can also affect children’s confidence and mental health. Many face humiliation or exclusion at school and some develop anxiety or depression as a result.

Good News

But there’s some good news. Research has shown that dance can help boost self-confidence in people with dyslexia and other neurological conditions. It also promotes brain development and can help to increase empathy. Whilst there is no current evidence to suggest that dance can actively ‘cure’ dyslexia, it does provide a welcome alternative method of both learning and expression. Both of which can have lasting benefits. Did you know, for example, that Darcey Bussell is dyslexic?

The Challenges of Reading

Literacy is one area that can naturally be compromised by dyslexia. There are methods that do work for younger pupils in overcoming the challenges of reading. These largely centre around having appropriate content within a given text. Set books, however, may not meet those criteria. So, a great way to engage with these – and the ideas contained within them – is for children to physicalise their responses.

Curriculum Favourites

When it come to children’s books, Dance Notes’ lessons library has many curriculum favourites to offer . Pupils are encouraged to explore the underlying themes, motifs and messages through playful exploration. And they are rewarded with having created something of their very own.

Titles include:

Where the Wild Things Are (KS1)

Zog (KS1)

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (KS2)

Penguin Small (KS1)

Alice in Wonderland (KS2)

Monkey Puzzle (KS1)

The Last Tiger (KS2)

Going on a Bear Hunt (KS1)

Giraffes Can’t Dance (KS1)

Vitally Important

And, of course, it’s not only neurodivergent pupils that benefit from engaging with these through movement. Dance can work for all children in helping their self-expression, social cohesion, spatial awareness and more besides. Physical exercise is vitally important and creative thinking is essential to development.

Suggestions Welcome

Do you have a favourite book that’s not yet included here? Is your class studying a children’s classic you’d like them to turn into a dance? We are always open to your suggestions and happy to tackle new topics. Let us know.

Sources:

Dancing with dyslexia: the perfect pas de deux

Dance on the Brain: Enhancing Intra- and Inter-Brain Synchrony

Dancing with dyslexia: How dance helps me express myself

Dyslexia and concentration issues can be improved by Dance

How to Teach Kids With Dyslexia to Read

More From Dance Notes:

Find a Lesson

Dance Notes has given me the confidence to deliver Dance, something I have always struggled with or avoided. There are plenty of topics and themes to choose from and it is easy to use. Because there are no ‘rights and wrong’s about what children’s responses are, children were confident to join in and do what they felt and wanted rather than think ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I can’t dance’. Some boys who can sometimes be disruptive were totally engaged in Rough and Tumble. Also, because children can choose their own movements, there were less ‘rules’. Children were back from school after lockdown and thoroughly enjoyed moving and expressing themselves to music. Because the music is there ready and the plans are written for you, there is no scrabbling around finding suitable music. I would previously avoid teaching dance as I didn’t have plans or music.

Trish

This is the best dance scheme of work that I have used in my 40 years of teaching and even better than a dance teacher that comes into school. The children are very engaged in dance and enjoy it much more than they used to do. By doing the dance moves they are able to understand how people used to live. I have had many students who find it difficult to work with others but dance notes helped them find the confidence to change. I have had students who were not willing to join in with dance but with dance notes they find it enjoyable. The notes are so clear and well structured and the tracks are available too so there is no need for new planning.

Pauline

It is so easy to use with loads of possible units that can be used across the year.

Dance Notes has massively helped my planning of cross curricular dance. The children have really enjoyed the lessons. They have been able to bring their learning from the classroom and turn it into performance which has been joyous to watch. My planning time was cut in half with the use of Dance Notes

Kelly

Easy to follow instructions with the music. Good pair and group work. Fits well with my Ancient Greece topic. Thanks so much! It’s a great unit – it worked so well I’m doing it again this year.

Anna