DEL Dance for Early Childhood (Ages 2-6)

Course Description: DEL’s Dance for Early Childhood Curriculum encourages learning through play, providing a stimulating, multi-sensory, and nurturing community for diverse young learners to discover their innate movement capacity. In this 6-module asynchronous course, participants will learn to create developmentally appropriate dance lessons for children ages 2-6 years old. This course will cover the following topics: applied Laban Movement Analysis and guided exploration, dance-making, interdisciplinary lesson themes, dances from around the world, and early childhood techniques and strategies.

Learning Objectives: Students will…

1. Understand DEL’s application to Laban Movement Analysis vocabulary in the early childhood context.
2. Experience and practice using DEL’s Guided Exploration to provide children with movement discovery.
3. Learn the DEL Movement Sentence as a way to sequence dances for young children.
4. Explore a variety of warm-ups for young children.
5. Examine a variety of lesson plans for early childhood.
6. Embody and investigate dances from around the world through the lens of early childhood.
7. Identify techniques and strategies for conducting early childhood dance classes.

Course Format: Asynchronous – All course material online! Students receive access to all course materials for 1 Year.

Prerequisites: None

Study Options: Independent Study ($190) or Facilitated Study ($380)

Independent Study – Cost: $190

Independent Study courses offer students the freedom to learn at their own pace, allowing them to dedicate as much or as little time to the material as they choose. With no set deadlines, students have full control over the timing and progression of their learning. This format is best suited for those who prefer to study independently and autonomously. Students will retain access to course materials for one year, providing ample opportunity to revisit and review content at their convenience.

Facilitated Study – Cost: $380

Facilitated Study courses offer a more structured and interactive learning experience, ideal for students who value consistent feedback, community engagement, and a clear course timeline. Students will submit weekly assignments, along with a final assignment, and receive written feedback from facilitators. Courses may include discussion boards for peer interaction and all feature a mid-course Zoom meeting where students can meet their cohort, engage with peers, and connect directly with the course facilitator for additional support and guidance. Designed for students who thrive in a guided, collaborative setting, this format requires approximately 3 hours of engagement per week. Additionally, all Facilitated Study courses are eligible for undergraduate credit through DEL’s partnership with SUNY Empire State University for a separate and additional fee. Facilitated Study Course Dates:  Apr 28 – Jun 8, 2025, with final assignments due June 22, 2025. 

Credits:

Students may take this course for SUNY Empire State University credit for a separate and additional fee, and will receive 4 undergraduate credits. 

Educators can also receive New York State CTLE credits for completed DEL courses.

Discounts:

• NYCDOE dance specialists get 50% off every DEL course.
• NYCDOE common branch teachers get 10% off every DEL course.
• NYCDOE Arnhold New Teachers get DEL courses free for their first and second year teaching in the DOE.

Scholarships: Scholarships are available through 92NY. General 92NY scholarship information and applications are found HERE. 

Must register by Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

QUESTIONS? Please reach out to [email protected].

Photo by Cherylynn Tsushima for Nel Shelby Productions.

Meet Your Instructors

Deborah Damast

Deborah Damast (BFA Dance, SUNY Purchase, MA Dance Education, NYU, DEL Certificate) is Associate Professor and Program Director of Dance Education at NYU Steinhardt where in addition to teaching, she is Artistic Director of concerts, Kaleidoscope Dancers, and the Uganda study abroad program. Deborah is the Past-President of the New York...

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Dawn DiPasquale

Dawn DiPasquale (MA Dance Education, NYU) is a former Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance and Musical Theater at Wichita State University, teaching modern, musical theater and tap dance. She is a PreK-5 Creative Dance Teaching Artist in NYC public schools for 92NY School Engagement in the Arts and NY City...

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Daria Fitzgerald

Daria Fitzgerald (M.A., Dance Education, New York University, Professional Dance Teacher Certification, New York State) is the Associate Director of Early Childhood Dance at Harkness Dance Center, 92NY. In this role, Daria leads Harkness Dance Center’s initiative to grow early childhood dance programs across the organization and beyond, teaches early...

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Erin Lally

Erin Lally (BFA, MA) is the Director of the Dance Education Laboratory at 92NY. Since 2002, Erin has taught dance in public schools, studio, and community settings, sharing her love of dance with children, educators, and families. She taught with Luna Dance Institute in Berkeley, CA where she served as...

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