Bringing dance to Early Years children

Grow is a playful interactive dance and visual arts adventure for children aged 4-5, originally developed in partnership with Delight and Paintbox in 2025, with additional support from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Unfolding in school over six weeks, the programme encourages children to use their imagination and creativity to express themselves and learn about changes in the natural world around them.

The skills developed throughout the programme have clear links to the Early Learning Goals including Physical Development, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.

Find out more about the programme on the Delight website here.

Beginning with a live interactive performance of SEED, the children are tasked to help Kid and Pinto, two ‘Seedologists’, as they follow the journey of a mysterious new seed through the seasons.

Over the following 5 weeks children work with a professional dancer in weekly workshops to explore movement as a way of expressing themselves, developing their strength, balance, cooperation and coordination along the way.

Working with class teachers, and supported by a series of ‘How to…’ films, children create a range of visual art props, developing skills in a range of art techniques including printmaking and collage. These props are used in their dance workshops and final performance to enhance their understanding of seasonal change.

The children share their experience with their families in an Open Classroom event, which includes a performance of their dance, followed by a shared art activity for children and their parents/carers to enjoy together.

About Delight

Delight is a leading arts-based learning charity, using the transformative power of the arts as a catalyst to bring long-term change. Their vision is for every child to have equal opportunity to thrive during their school years and beyond. Their innovative arts-based learning programmes creatively develop children, increase engagement in education and improve confidence, resilience, and well-being.

Primary school children with colourful blue, yellow and green t-shirts dance and reach their arms up to the sky
Reception children wearing blue t-shirts dance in a group, waving colourful scarves above their heads
Children in green t-shirts follow a dance teacher, stretching over to the side
A class of reception children in brightly coloured t-shirts follow their dance teacher in a circle
A teacher holds a brightly coloured sunflower at the centre of a group of children in green t-shirts
A very interactive way to learn about the seasons incorporating art and dance. Very well put together. Katie was amazing with the children, including them all.
Teacher feedback,
Was a lovely dance to see; all the children were enjoying themselves and also learning about the seasons.
Parent feedback,
They all looked like they had so much fun. Loved the imaginative play.
Parent feedback,
She loved the activities, enjoyed every moment of it.
Parent feedback,
It is amazing how much they have come on since week 1.
Teacher feedback,
There was so much joy in all of their faces joining in, especially with all the props and dancing.
Parent feedback,
Really nice to see the children moving their bodies in different ways and learning at the same time.
Parent feedback,