The development of a "Moving-to-music” toolkit in underprivileged primary schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and its personal and social benefits

Background
Two different aspects of dance are mentioned: the physical and the social aspect. Furthermore, the DASH (Disease, Activity and Schoolchildren’s Health) Study is outlined to pinpoint the results that lead to the follow-up project KaziBantu, Healthy Schools for Healthy Communities. In the last step, the educational objectives of the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) of South Africa are concluded, to stress the conjunction of the South African education system and dance education.
Methods
Through literature research, meetings with experts, first-hand experience and discussions with teachers, it was identified why the toolkit «Moving-to-music» is essential and justified in South Africa’s curriculum CAPS and why it is beneficial for the development of the pupil and enrichment for a society as multicultural as South Africa.
Results
The essentials of our pilot phase in Port Elizabeth for the concept of the lessons are highlighted: clear and simple instructions, self-explaining activities, explanation of games without imposing any foreknowledge and including educational objectives into the lessons. Furthermore, the structure of the product action-song-lesson is, to start with an intro ritual followed by a warm-up including games and songs. Hereafter the main part with basic step songs, games and creative work activities follows. The lesson ends with a presentation of the product and an outro activity to calm learners down before going back to their classrooms.
Conclusion
Dancing has a beneficial impact on the social and personal development of an underprivileged primary school learner in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The KaziBantu children’s toolkit imports and adapts educational objectives from South African and Swiss curriculums and the expertise from Swiss and South African dance educators and therapists into a South African primary school system. The ready-made lessons give practical examples and ideas on how to execute a dance lesson without any previous knowledge on dance education.