Dance Transitions

From the very beginning, life means change – it consists of transitions. Some of these happen almost imperceptibly and seem to unfold naturally, while others can occur overnight. These changes can present challenges that are not always easy to overcome – such as the transition from daycare to primary school. Young children enter a world where suddenly many things are different and unfamiliar; they are faced with new expectations and demands. We aim to support them in navigating this path.

As part of our project “LUNA PARK – Dance Transitions”, preschoolers and first-grade students participate in weekly dance sessions led and supported by professional dance artists and educators. These classes aid children in their motor development while also fostering their language skills and ability to work in teams. At the same time, children are familiarized with the school environment and its teachers even before starting school, as the sessions take place both in daycare centers and in a cooperating primary school. Regular intensive days, where preschoolers and first-graders meet, dance with and for each other, complement the weekly program.

The start of school is of great importance for a child’s educational journey. Through our dance classes, we especially aim to support children from socio-economically marginalized backgrounds and those whose first language is not German. Our course concept builds on more than ten years of experience conducting dance classes in daycare centers and primary schools. Additionally, the continuous exchange and further training of the participating dance artists are integral parts of our work. Over the years, we have repeatedly witnessed how children gain self-confidence through artistic dance and grow in their social and interpersonal skills. Here are two recent feedback statements from participating daycare centers: “The children involved in the program show increased self-confidence overall and express themselves clearly and joyfully afterwards.” And regarding a particularly challenged child: “The dance program has significantly improved the child’s ability to concentrate and absorb information. This is clearly noticeable not only during the dance sessions, but also in everyday life, especially in the daycare setting.” Our project reaches many young children each year: in 2024 alone, 150 first-grade students from Gesundbrunnen Primary School and 84 children from surrounding daycare centers participated in our weekly dance program.

“LUNA PARK – Dance Transitions” has been supported since 2024 by funding from the Senate Department for Education, Youth, and Family. The project is a further development and consolidation of “Tanzt kunterbunt!”, a project launched and realized by Initiative LUNA PARK e.V. since 2014. Long-standing project partners include Gesundbrunnen Primary School and the daycare centers Kunterbunt, Der kleine Muck, Bärenbande, Osloer Zwerge, and Weltkinder.

The project originated in the Berlin district of Wedding, in the Badstraße Neighborhood Management area. As a pilot project, “LUNA PARK – Dance Transitions” is now being expanded to other districts of Berlin. New partnerships with primary schools and daycare centers in various parts of the city are currently being established. Looking ahead, we aim to accompany further transitions in life through dance.

We welcome inquiries from interested institutions!

Contact:
Sarah Johanna Steinfelder
assistenz@lunapark.works