Move. Create. Educate.
By maria, on August 8th, 2011%
The parachute. I use it sometimes with my 18 month- 2 years creative movement classes. I love to use it, but sometimes I feel like it is more of a gym activity than a dance activity. Do you feel that way? Continue reading Parachute
By maria, on June 22nd, 2011%
 I’m so excited to share this dance with you. Do you know how much I love to doing dances about sea creatures? I’m not sure you do. It could be an obsession! Well, the kids love it too, so it’s justified right?  Continue reading Jellyfish Jive
By maria, on June 19th, 2011%
Want to know what I have been exploring with lately while teaching? Rope. I had some jump ropes in my prop closet and thought summertime would be the perfect season to use them. Here are some ideas I have tried:
 Continue reading Rope Shapes
By maria, on May 31st, 2011%
 Have you ever used oversized scarves with your creative dance classes? I got them at the beginning of the year but never used them until recently. I brought them in last week and they were quite the hit with 5′s and 6′s. Here are some dances we did with them: Continue reading Oversized Scarves
By maria, on February 18th, 2011%
 This week in my tap classes I started using rhythm sticks for age groups 5-10. It was so much fun, the dancers loved it and my favorite part… they can be creative! Continue reading Teaching Rhythm with Sticks
By maria, on February 4th, 2011%
 I have always wanted to try streamers as a prop. Have you tried it? I thought this time of year would be a great time to try it because of the Chinese New Year! I wanted to find red streamers, but I couldn’t find them, so I thought this color was perfect because it’s the color of a dragon. Continue reading Streamers to Celebrate the Chinese New Year
By maria, on January 19th, 2011%
 Today at the preschool I saw the most high energy kids I have seen in a long time. I think it might be a result of not going to the playground because of the snow, ice, and cold we are having in NYC. Just getting them to sit down was a challenge. The result— we played with feathers! Continue reading Floating Feathers
By maria, on January 5th, 2011%
Chimneys and Kites can only mean one thing… Marry Poppins! This is my most favorite movie and I think it really lends itself to dancing and movement! Just the other day I realized that I do 2 different dances from the movie in 2 different classes! Can you believe that?  They are so much fun and I thought you might want to try them out too! Continue reading Chimney Sweeps and Flying Kites
By maria, on December 15th, 2010%
 While I was at the craft store the other day I saw these curly swirly ribbons! I thought how fun would these be to use in dance class? They bounce, and the title itself makes you want dance. Curly Swirly! Just in time for the holidays, you could recycle them off of your gifts and have an instant prop for the new year! Continue reading Need a New Prop? Recycle These!
By maria, on December 6th, 2010%
I am in LOVE with these 2 new props! I am purchasing them ASAP for my toddler and baby classes!
 Tactillos- great for walking on with bare feet or holding in hands! Continue reading 2 Must Have Sensory Props
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About 
Maria Hanley is an independent early childhood dance educator in New York City.
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Maria serves on the