Top 10 tips for teaching children belly dance

10 tips for teaching children belly dance 

Tip #1 – Keep it Playful💃 Kids learn best when they’re having fun! Try  a game where they have to “freeze” for working on posture or a  “join the dots” game for travelling steps.

 What’s YOUR favourite dance game? Comment below.

The Mastering the Art of Teaching Children’s Belly Dance course has an entire games manual of 40 games and countless variations that have been tried and tested over decades of kids classes. 

Tip #2 – Age-Appropriate Music🎶 The right song = instant smiles! Choose upbeat music with family-friendly lyrics. Many teachers neglect to think about the meaning of the lyrics of the music they play for their young students. 

Look the lyrics up and avoid explicit language, adult references, and songs about harm depression, hate, etc. Go for happy, joyful, supportive, classical, traditional, etc themes.

💬 What’s one song your kids can’t help but dance to? Comment below.

Tip #3 – Props are MagicVeils, baskets and zills make every class an adventure. Just use them in short bursts to keep excitement high!

💬 If you could dance with any prop, what would it be?

Tip #4 – Bite-Sized Learning🌟 Small wins = big confidence! Teach moves in mini chunks instead of full routines right away

.💬 Do you remember the first dance step you ever mastered?

Tip #5 – Posture First💪 Before shimmies and spins, teach safe posture — tall spine, soft knees, relaxed shoulders. A strong base = a confident dancer!

💬 What helps YOU remember to stand tall?

Tip #6 – Storytelling in Dance🌺 Pretend you’re the wind, a flower, or a travelling adventurer! Stories make steps magical for kids (and grown-ups too!).

💬 If your dance had a story, what would it be?

Tip #7 – Keep It Moving🚀 Change the pace often — stillness, small moves, BIG moves! Keeps kids engaged and energy flowing.

💬 What’s your favourite “big” move to dance?

Tip #8 – Celebrate Effort, Not Just Perfection💖 Give encouragement for doing their best!  Kids who feel encouraged will love dance for life — even if the moves aren’t perfect yet.

💬 Who always cheers you on?

Tip #9 – Involve the Senses🎨 Colour, texture, sound, even scent — make class an immersive adventure!

💬 What colour makes YOU want to dance?

Tip #10 – End on a High Note🎉 Finish every class with joy — a game, a bow, or a mini dance party. They’ll leave with smiles (and want to come back!).

💬 What’s your favourite way to end a class or show?

Like these 10 tips for teaching children belly dance?

 

The Mastering the Art of Teaching Children’s Belly Dance course empowers teachers to confidently and safely introduce belly dance to children through playful, age-appropriate activities that nurture creativity, coordination, and cultural appreciation. It covers how to teach, not what moves to teach,  so it useful for all styles. Sign up our newsletter, drop us an email or check out the products section of our website for more information.