Using Dance Structures to work with preschool children

Ples je jedna od najprikladnijih aktivnosti za djecu jer se temelji na prirodnim oblicima kretanja. Dok u svakodnevnom životu koriste tijelo za uobičajene radnje i svladavanje prostora i prepreka, u plesu ga osjećaju u drugačijem, čarobnom svjetlu koje im omogućuje spoznaju sebe, svog tijela i njegovih mogućnosti Plesne strukture u odgojno-obrazovnom smislu pripadaju programskim sadržajima tjelesne i zdravstvene kulture djece predškolske dobi. Uvođenjem plesnih elemenata u rad s djecom predškolske dobi, obogaćuje se stvaralačko izražavanje, estetika pokreta te pravilno držanje tijela. Zadovoljava se i dječja potreba za igrom i zabavom, a glazba koja prati ples pomaže djetetu da kontolira kretanje svog tijela u prostoru. U prvom dijelu rada je prikazan povijesni razvoj plesa, teorija Rudolfa Labana o umjetnosti pokreta te dosadašnja istraživanja utjecaja plesa na razvoj djeteta. Brojna istraživanja u Hrvatskoj i svijetu dokazuju da plesni sadržaji pozitivno utječu na cjelokupan razvoj djece te spoznaju o vlastitom tijelu i njegovim mogućnostima. Ples također razvija glazbeni sluh, ritmičnost, fleksibilnost, snagu, brzinu, spretnost i koordinaciju pokreta. U radu su navedene plesne strukture uključene u kurikul tjelesne i zdravstvene kulture u predškolskoj ustanovi. Provedeno je akcijsko istraživanje tijekom tromjesečnog razdoblja, od listopada do kraja prosinca 2021. godine. Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati kako uvođenje plesnih struktura u program tjelesne i zdravstvene kulture utječe na kvalitetu rada i zadovoljstvo djece. Istraživanje je provedeno na uzorku mješovite grupe od 23 djece u dobi od 4 do 7 godina. Tijekom istraživanja ostvareno je ukupno 24 sata tjelesne i zdravstvene kulture, obogaćenih plesnim sadržajima. Nakon provođenja programa obogaćenog plesnim strukturama izvršeno je ispitivanje zadovoljstva djece provedenim. Analizom prikupljenih podataka ustanovljeno je zadovoljstvo djece uvedenim promjenama.Dancing is one of the most appropriate activities for children because it is based on natural forms of movement. While in everyday life they use their body for everyday actions and overcoming space and obstacles, in dance they feel it in a different, magical light that allows them to know themselves, their body and its possibilities. Dance structures are the part of physical education curriculum of preschool children. By introducing dance elements to preschool children, it enriches their creative expression, aesthetics of movement and proper posture and by practicing these structures, the adoption of dance elements with music, student develop proper posture, rhythm, dynamism, expressiveness of movement and creativity. The child's need for play and fun is also satisfied, and the music that accompanies the dance helps the child to control the movement of his body in space. The first part of the research paper presents the historical development of dance, Rudolf Laban's theory of the Art of movement and previous research on the impact of dance on child development. Numerous studies in Croatia and around the world prove that dance has a positive effect on the child's development and his knowledge about their own body and its capabilities. Dance also develops musicality, rhythmicity, flexibility, strength, speed, dexterity and coordination of movements. This research paper investigates the impact of dance structures involved in physical education activities in the preschool institution. An action study was conducted during the three-month period from October to the end of December 2021. The aim of the study was to examine how use of dance structures in the physical education curriculum affects the quality of education and children's satisfaction. The study was conducted in a mixed group of 23 children aged 4 to 7 years. During the research, there were a total of 24 teaching hours of physical education, enriched with dance content. After the implementation of the program enriched with dance structures, a survey of children's satisfaction was conducted. The analysis of the collected data established satisfaction of children with all the changes