There’s something truly magical about watching a young child discover the world through movement, but when a parent, grandparent, or trusted caregiver joins in, that magic multiplies.

This is exactly why I design my creative movement classes for children ages two to four with the whole family in mind. In my classes, every child brings a caregiver to join the fun.

Research backs this up. A recent systematic review published in the Journal of Family Theory & Review (Selman & Dilworth-Bart, 2023) found strong evidence that daily routines help children thrive, supporting everything from cognitive skills to social-emotional growth and resilience. A simple weekly dance class can become one of those nurturing, protective routines.

But here’s what makes these classes extra special: they’re not just about exercise. They’re about imagination and learning, too. One moment we’re butterflies fluttering through a garden, the next we’re galloping unicorns, twirling fairies, superheroes, swimmers, or bouncy bunnies. We use bean bags, colorful scarves, baby dolls, and costumes to bring these playful worlds to life.

Within all this fun, children are quietly learning big life skills. They practice waiting their turn, sharing props, and managing disappointment in a gentle, supportive way. For example, sometimes they get to pick their favorite wing color or scarf — and sometimes, I do a surprise, eyes-closed draw and hand them what comes up. It’s not always the color they wanted, but we use that moment to learn: sometimes life hands us a red bean bag when we hoped for green — and that’s okay.

Just as importantly, this class creates a safe space for grown-ups, too. Life is tough, busy, and stressful, but for 30 magical minutes, you get to set that aside. You get to leap, spin, giggle, and let your goofy, creative side breathe. Children see you having fun and learn that healthy movement is joyful and normal — and they’ll carry that lesson with them long after they’ve hung up their fairy wings.

When we wrap movement in routine, and routine in imagination and love, we give our children something lasting — the joy of moving freely and living well together.

So, to every parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or guardian who’s ever hesitated to join in: come dance with us. Bring your laughter, your big leaps, your best superhero pose. Let’s raise a generation that moves boldly, loves deeply, and embraces life’s surprises — one giggle and flying unicorn at a time.

Reference: Selman, S. B., & Dilworth-Bart, J. E. (2023). Routines and child development: A systematic review. Journal of Family Theory & Review. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12549

Join my creative movement at North of the River Recreation and Park District, Bakersfield, CA, and learn to fly.