Investigating the Benefits of Dance in Community & Schools in Scotland - Math Problem Example

344113- Investigating the benefits of dance in community & schools in Scotland Background: “Dance is an island in a sea of motion."-- Rudolf Laban. Albert Einstein marveled, dancers as athletes of God. Dance is a form that has a universal appeal. It is found to be magical for soul and bodies alike. It is found to enable people to come to terms with their physical self, mental well being and societal communications. Community dance could be aptly described as a dance form in which the artiste with the community, imbibing in it the social concern, developing individuals creativity, partnership, participation and consultation. The various forms of dance style observable in Scottish community are step dance, celidh dance, Scottish country dance, disco, contemporary dance, jazz, classical ballet, sequence dancing, old time dancing etc . Dance, particularly in Scotland has made a significant progress over past ten years with the ambitious efforts of the Scottish art council. Community dance over many researches have found to be treasure trove of putative values as ,emotional and mental health, mood enhancement, stress reduction, anger management, energizing and revitalizing experience and at the At a more general level there are designated values of celebration the human body, equality of opportunity, empowerment and human rights - as well as the amelioration of social exclusion, the reinvigorating pride in where people live, relieving suffering or violence and making the world a better place.(Dance your way to health , 2007). This remarkable list of accreditations for community dance which seemed to be panacea for all ills is tempted this project. The Judith Bell’s guidelines for research proposal, 1980, were followed as guidelines. Rationale for the research: The research to investigate the benefits of community dance and dance in school could be justified on analyzing the following facts. Dance has an important contribution to make to the life of schools and communities. It is enriching in a number of distinctive ways. In the compilation by Ahammed Nour khan, on the World health day, 2002, titled move for health , it could be seen that in the WHO report states that a major cause of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity is lack of physical activity, and it roughly estimated that the lack of physical activity leads to 2 millions death per year. Ahmad Noor Khan also as his view says that, the dance, a form of physical activity, on research was found to bring down rates of violence among young people, promote tobacco – free lifestyles and decrease other risky behaviors, such as unsafe sex or illicit drug use. It can also reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness among the elderly and improve their physical and mental agility. Golden Curl, 2006 exclaims that ,Dance is found to help in stress reduction, anger management, and alleviation of social exclusion. The community dance has emasculated into specialized domains as ‘psycho-therapy’, ‘emotional rehabilitation’ and ‘social engineering’. Melaine peter lecturer of early childhood, 2007, describes that Dance in children is found to be a natural way to learn about the world and express their ideas, thoughts and feelings. Through dance, pre-school children channel their energy and develop attention, balance and co-ordination. In school they are able to focus on an activity, hold a pencil, sit still, track along a line of print and even learn to ride a bike. All these skills require the muscles, balance and postural systems to work in unison, with flexibility and an awareness of space. Ordering movements to create a dance also develops young children's sequencing skills needed for inumeracy and literacy, and for planning and organizing themselves in general. There is also an important aesthetic value for young children dancing gives them insights into different cultures and beliefs and raise their awareness and respect for others. In youth, according to Ahmad Noor Khan , dance provides young people with important physical, mental and social health benefits. This dance helps them to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, control body weight, reduce fat and develop efficient function of the heart and lungs. It contributes to the development of movement and co-ordination and helps in preventing and controlling feelings of anxiety and depression. Barlett, 2000 emphasizes that, the educational value of dance derives from the kinds of challenges provided by each type of dance. These embrace intellectual challenge, personal and interpersonal challenges, emotional and artistic challenges as well as invigorating health and fitness opportunities. The intellectual challenge is clear: to understand a specific dance technique, to assimilate it, and to use it in performance. Dance, like all performing arts, is practical and experiential in a way that academic subjects are clearly not. Teaching and assessment approaches inevitably reflect this fact. Akil kant etal, 2006 in their article, says At a personal level, dance requires and develops social skills, self-confidence and appropriate knowledge. Dance can provide uniquely motivating opportunities for learning to those with learning difficulties or physical disabilities. Dance as a learning activity can also open doors to lifelong learning opportunities of other kinds. To perform in a social setting requires and enhances confidence, ease of communication and expression, and personal relationships. To be able to dance is to be able to relate to others and to experience dance as part of social functions allows the individual a share in important cultural traditions Many schools have started up dance in the curriculum, the effect of which is found to be effective.(Werner etal,1996) With the backdrop, it could be seen that though, many research are available that list out the benefits of dance in community and schools, not much research is seen to have the qualitatively and quantitatively test the information’s. So project, aims to take up this that seems worthful, trying to establish the concept quantitatively. Aims and objectives of the research: The project aims to test the hypothesis, “There are benefits of dance in the communities and schools were dancing is taken in physical, mental and societal level”. If the level of significance (α) = 0.05, indicates that if the results have a probability of 5% or less then the hypothesis is rejected. Literature reviewed to date: A wide review of literature search through journals, books and ,magazines in context to the community dance, dance in school, benefits of dance, up to date , showed the following facts. In a report given by child and family, Canada creative dance in early childhood education was found to increase locomotors, non locomotors, stability and balanced skills in the age group of 2 to 7. The children were also found to be improved in vocabulary. As a social benefit the kids were able to express themselves freely and where shown to mingle with ease. The over all health and fitness in those children were also found to be increased. Music taste, language developments were also found to be applaudable in them. In an online publication by Scottish executive, of government of Scotland, about traditional and contemporary dance in community settings, a visit by the HM inspector to a number of organizations that offered adults and young people, community based dancers, it could be seen that dance had a important presence in Scottish community. They found that at dance, at personal and society level had brought in mark able changes in the people. Dancing for them appears to be a valuable health activity as it exercised mind and body as one. Absorbing these, the Scottish executives have drawn many policies for future development of dance as fund and proposals. The Scottish art council also introduced a range of new lottery schemes. According to See Lynn, 2002,The dance that has now taken up a major part in exercise , is found to increases strength and stamina, Improve sleep, aids weight loss ,Improves respiratory and cardiovascular systems and reduces the risk of heart and arterial disease, helps to relieve depression, tones up muscles and improves appearance, improves concentration, improves sex life, helps to relieve pain , delays the signs of aging, improves general health In dance yore way to health, 2007, the dance therapy is explained as , Today dance or ‘movement therapy’ is a rising phenomenon. To put it in simpler words, movement therapy could be defined as   improvising movement in a therapeutic setting to treat emotional, cognitive and physical problems. Pioneered by Marian Chace, it is a unique combination of modern dance and psychiatry. It can counter diseases and tackle sexual dysfunctions as well. The dance manifesto released by UK Art council, states that dance is the fastest growing art, with on a survey of 50,000 people over 14 years quoting dance as the major activity next to football. They say that dance has converted more young people active, especially those, don’t want to participate in physical activities. Among older people, the community dance who gave an opportunity to fulfill their ambition , and helps to build healthy community by bringing together people of different ethnic background, ages , religions, mental physical abilities. Methods of evidence collected: The Study group proposed for this research would be children in schools participating in the dance classes offered by the school, their teachers and parents for feedback, young and older people randomly selected dance schools offering various dances. The sample size is designed to be large, as a large mean value would help correctly calculate the statistical difference. The study group would be randomly selected, with care taken to consider only the age factor to be matched within groups. The groups could be children, young people, adults undertaking dance in a varying age from 8 (for children assessment to be provided by teacher) to 50. The inclusion criteria would be all participants should undergo dances at least for a year to standardize the changes felt in them. The exclusion criteria would be people below and above this age group. A method of random sampling could be done to avoid the bias that could arise. A sample size of 300 to 500 is planed. The assessment technique could be through questioner, questions in which would cover the physical, mental and societal changes observed in them. The Template questionnaire: After the entrance of dance in the life, was there any improvement, For School Children – (response from parents and teachers) In the physical state? In their concentration? Social behavior – Shyness and problems in mingling, etc? Improvement in the stamina. Overall school behaviors For young people – In self confidence? Physical fitness. Social habits Control of weight Control of feelings such as anxiety and depression. Anger management Friends making and social behavior For adults – Betterment of physical ailment. Control of BP Anger management Tension and worries Physical fitness Reduction in body weight and fat Emotional well being General happiness Based on the reply, the result could be calculated. Time scale and resources: The anticipated timescale for the research is 2 to 3 months, in which selection of sample population, obtaining ethical concern, providing questioner and collecting back the answers and the analysis of the results to arrive at the conclusion has to be undertaken.. The estimated cost of the materials, postage, photocopying, audio and video materials would be £180. Ethical consent: Consent is to be obtained from the participant to avoid ethical issues. The consent in school children has to be obtained from school and parents. Explanatory or contact letter Dear Sir/Madam, I am…………………………………………... As ………………I am required to carry out a Investigating the benefits of dance in community & schools in Scotland” research project. I would appreciate your help in this research project. Please find enclosed an information sheet, and a consent form, containing all relevant information relating to your participation. If you agree to take part, please bring completed consent form and all information on the day of nail surgery. You can decline to take part or withdraw at any time, which will not affect your treatment in any way. Many thanks. Information sheet: The research project “Investigating the benefits of dance in community & schools in Scotland” requires collection of data related to the various benefit of dances in communities and school, in the physical, mental and societal level. Consent Form I give my consent to participate in the project “Investigating the benefits of dance in community & schools in Scotland”. I agree to follow guidelines given to me as closely as possible. [ ] I understand that I can withdraw from the project at any time, and that this will not affect my treatment in anyway. [ ] Signed: ________________________ Date: ______________________ Bibliography: 1. Ahmad Noor Khan ,WORLD HEALTH DAY, MOVE FOR HEALTH http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2002/fapr2002/f050420021.html 2. Akhil Kant Singh, Ankit Maheshwari, Nidhi Sharma and K. Anand , Lifestyle Associated Risk Factors in Adolescents ,Indian Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 73—October, 2006 901. 3. Bartlett, K. (2004) So what is Community Dance? in Movement & Dance, Laban Guild Magazine Vol. 23 No. 3, pp 4-5. 4. Culture, Media and Sport Committee Arts Development: Dance, May 2004 Evidence submitted by Foundation for Community Dance, pp2-4 Gisela Loeffler ,2000, Creative Movement and Dance in Early Childhood Education, child and family, Canada, www.cccf-fcsge.ca. 5. Dance your way to health, 2007, Your health , http://education.indiatimes.com/educationTimes/getArticleDetails.do?contentid=2007072012525531239e8a00d§id=34.Health - 23 Jul, 2007 6. Gordon Curl, 2006, Aesthetic Values in Community Dance: ‘Deal’ or ‘No Deal’?, Animated Summer 7. Judith Bell , 1980 , Doing your research project : a guide for first time researchers in education, health and social science 8. Melanie Peter, 2007, Benefits of dance in early childhood, 2007 , http://www.culturalprofiles.org.uk/scotland/Units/940.html. 9. See Lunn, J. (2004) Community Dance - the benefits and beyond the benefits, Movement & Dance, Laban Guild Magazine Vol. 23, No. 3, 5-7. 10. Stinson, S. (1988). Dance for Young Children. Reston, Virginia: AAHPERD 11. Traditional and Contemporary Dance in Community Settings www. Scotland.gov.uk. 10.Werner, P., Timms, S., Almond, L. (1996). "Health Stops: Practical Ideas for Health Related Exercise in Preschool and Primary Classrooms." Young Children, September, (51) 6, 48-55 Read More