Thoughts for the Week:

Dancing is one of the most natural ways people have to express our feelings to the world. Even before children can talk, they can communicate how they feel by the way they move their bodies in response to the tone and rhythm of voices and sounds around them. Through the gestures and expressions of this earliest of "dances," babies tell their caregivers a lot about fear, pleasure, anger, and curiosity.

Older children tend to find movement both a pleasure and an outlet for self-expression. They can take delight in their growing ability to control their bodies, and many even enjoy the discipline and effort that goes with learning a new skill. But even as their dances become more intricate and precise, you can sense their continuing pleasure in movement. By encouraging young children to express their feelings through movement, we can often provide them with opportunities for self-expression that can last a lifetime.

Summary of the Week:

This week of Neighborhood programs introduces children to the discipline, the imagination, the diversity and the power of dancing.

On a visit to The Dance Theatre of Harlem, Arthur Mitchell and his troupe display the precision and the beauty of classical ballet.  Mister Rogers meets Sam Weber of the "Jazz Tap Ensemble" and delights in this playful, but equally precise, style, and Mister Rogers travels to Sea World where Shamu the Whale is learning a "dance" from a trainer.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, has developed a new interest in dance.  She proclaims herself the dancemistress of the "Always Happy Dance Studio" -- and gets herself into trouble declaring that her dance lessons are available to women only.  Meanwhile, Daniel Tiger has taken up Tai Chi with the help of teacher, Patrick Chang, who learned the art from his father, a Chinese master.  Timid Daniel hopes the ancient Chinese method of self-defense can help him "knock-out" his scary dreams.