About Me
Hello I’m Clare and I am a fully qualified Dance & Drama Teacher.
I have been teaching for over 18 years and I am passionate about sharing my love of dance and the performing arts which is what has lead me to starting my own toddler dance classes and Little Bear Feet in Bucks.
I am a registered teacher with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and I teach a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap, modern and jazz. Many of the classes I teach are syllabus based, which is very important and has many benefits, but I felt there was something missing for toddlers. I wanted something that was fun, creative and imaginative that would introduce very young children to the joy of dance and movement but without being too set.
For me the Little Bear Feet™ syllabus is perfect. Designed by Jill Bridger, who is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dancing, the classes are both creative and exciting and are the ideal introduction to the world of dance. They are also linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage which covers children from birth to 5 years.
I love seeing the children jumping, spinning and expressing themselves during the Melody Bear® Action Song, or the child who is too shy to wave to Melody Bear® at the start of class, but by the end is running up to give her a big cuddle!
So who is Melody Bear®?
Melody is an adorable little teddy bear who just loves to dance, move and explore and she loves nothing more than to share all this excitement with the little girls and boys who come to her classes.
Within my classes I use dance, expressive movement, song and mime as well as a variety of props. A variety of styles of music are also used, including music specially composed for the Little Bear Feet™ syllabus by Eugene Kulikov . The music will inspire a child’s zest for dance and self-expression as well as enhancing their musical appreciation.
A little more about Clare:
I have an enhanced DBS certificate
Public Liability Insurance
First aid training
Safe guarding training
Little Bear Feet™ classes offer the perfect gateway into further dance training and as the children get a little too old for these classes then I have other classes that they are able to move on to. Or maybe you already have a child at home who is too old for these classes but is interested in dance. If you have a budding ballerina, a tip top tapper or a jazzy little mover then contact Clare to see what other classes are available. There are even classes for those adults who want to discover or reignite their passion for dance!
So what are you waiting for, contact Clare today!
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The EYFS incorporates six areas of Learning and Development. You can see here how Little Bear Feet in Bucks supports the implementation of these six areas in its classes.
Physical Development
Little Bear Feet™ dance classes help to develop a child’s fine motor skills through the use of props such as wands and scarves, as well as their gross motor skills through running, jumping, galloping and balancing.
Classes encourage children to independently explore particular patterns of movement.
Classes also help to contribute towards the NHS recommended 3 hours of physical activity per day for toddlers.
Creative Development
Classes encourage both self-expression and creative development with the use of mime and role play as we travel to Nursery Rhyme Land.
Communication, Language & Literacy
Children are encouraged to both ask and answer questions during the class. Using a variety of songs and rhymes helps to develop vocabulary and language.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Little Bear Feet™ classes inspire greater confidence and self-esteem. Children are given the opportunity to express themselves in a safe and encouraging environment and by learning new skills and taking pride in their own achievements a child’s belief grows. Children are also encouraged to work as part of a group and learn how to take turns and share things.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Children have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding of the world for example when we travel to different locations and dance through different types of weather.
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
Children are given the opportunity to practice these skills for instance when placing a teddy bear on a chair, counting within a song or dancing and moving in and through different spaces.