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St Josephs Primary School, Slate Street, Belfast
Tuesday 9th December - Year 1 Nativity 10am/ Year 2 Nativity 1pm | Thursday 11th December 2025 - Year 3 Nativity 10am/ Year 4 Nativity 1pm | Afterschool clubs end on Friday 5th December | Friday 5th December - clubs end for the term | School office closed daily from 1pm -1.30pm
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Movement & Dance in Year 1

15th Sep 2025

A busy morning in P1. We started our morning with play based learning followed by some PE. This term we are focusing on dance. The children listened and moved so well. A great start to the day.

💃 🕺 Movement and dance are key skills for young children to learn at school because they support whole-child development. Here are the main reasons:

  Physical development 🏃‍♀️ – Dance improves balance, coordination, flexibility, and gross motor skills, which are essential foundations for other physical activities.  

Cognitive growth 🧠 – Following patterns, rhythms, and sequences in dance strengthens memory, attention, and problem-solving.  

Creativity & expression 🎨 – Dance allows children to express themselves freely, boosting imagination and confidence.  

Social skills 🤝 – Working in pairs or groups helps children learn cooperation, turn-taking, and respect for others.  

Emotional wellbeing 💖 – Movement provides an outlet for energy and emotions, reducing stress and helping children regulate their feelings.  

Altogether, dance and movement aren’t just about “PE” 🧠  they help children think, feel, and communicate better, while building a love of being active.