Huckleberry Finn Dance And Movement Therapy Summary

The article begins by telling the readers how Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn story relates to the Dance and Movement Therapy (DMT), which expands a child’s understanding of mind and body. Public schools know that exercise is critically noteworthy for child development. The article deepens explaining how DMT effects children in after school programs. The author is a DMT therapist who works at an after school program in Louisiana. The school is located in a town which was hit by hurricane Katrina. After a couple years of holding a position as the DMT therapist, she observed that students were given a lower number of disciplinary by the end of the school year. The decrease was caused from building a relationship with the teachers. DMT has intention to create a safe environment and relationship between the students and teacher. This ambition is accomplished when students follow the rules and try new ways of movement. Another aim DMT wishes children to accomplish is the use of eye contact and an understanding of rhythmic patterns. The therapist uses mirroring as a way to create a safe environment and improve development to accomplish this mission. A third and final objective is eliminating anger and replacing it with a creative outlet. The therapist typically tells a story which can be created into bodily
movement. This teaches them to stay calm after being excited. The DMT program has students and teachers sign an agreement form which indicates this is a time for moving, amusement, and express feelings. Children learn to give a handshake along with having eye contact. The activities are always done under positive regard to each person through respect and encouragement. The DMT is a great program in as much as allowing children who come from poor families, an opportunity to develop in a safe environment. I learned the DMT helps improve learning for unfortunate kids across America. The program does this through letting the children express themselves in a safe environment. Students can best learn when allowed time to express and move their bodies. Having a play time improves the development of a child and their ability to understand their own bodies. This made me realize what great opportunities are available to students. Before reading this article I was unaware this program existed. Knowing how considerable of an impact this program has on the development for children appears clear to me that movement and understanding of the body are equally as relevant as intellectual learning. The power of dance brings three groups of people together.
The teacher is given an opportunity to connect with her students in a way he/she does not normally teach. This opportunity forces the teacher to communicate in different terms than normal. Teachers also connect with the DMT therapist. Teachers have to agree to what the DMT program expects out of them along with the students. The students are connected not only to one another through this program but also to the adult therapist. Having a highly trained adult is why children learn to respect one another. This program gives children an outlet to creativity and through the work of dance this is
accomplished.