Repetition, repetition, repetition is Good! I state this often in my dance classes. But why is repetition good? Especially for young children? If you have read the post on receptors, expressers, and delayed reaction you now have a basic understanding on how the brain learns new information. Receptors receive and organize information, expressers express and use information, and delayed reaction is the time in between these two functions.
When we are in a situation where we get to repeat information previously learned we are allowing our brain to recall and access this information creating stronger connections in the brain. The stronger and more accessible the information becomes the less time it takes us to express this information, so we are using our expressers more actively. We basically create short cuts in the neuro-pathways. In anything from dance, to school, to everyday life as we repeat a skill our brains are mastering the fastest way to express this information. This is why when learning a new skill we will often use repetitive formats (think about the drills schools often use for learning multiplication tables or the technique classes dance students take which focus on repeating dance syllabus and steps). This is a powerful way to master a skill.
More then just strengthening connections in the brain, repetition in learning, particularly for young learners, has strong emotional implications as well. While repetition for adults may seem boring and monotonous, children enjoy it because repetition allows them to master a skill, creating feelings of confidence and allowing them to actively participate. Many parents have probably experienced this already with their children wanting to hear the same story over and over, or listen to the same song repeatedly. This is not meant to drive parents nuts but is a natural way for children to learn things such as prediction, cause and effect, and other “rules” about the world around them. Being able to predict what happens next in a story, dance class, or even daily routine makes children feel confident and secure, thus contributing to increasing their self-esteem.
Repetition with variation can then become a powerful teaching tool. By using a repetitive format, we can use the confidence, security, and connections the child has already established to aid in learning a new skill. Not only does this sense of mastery and security make the child more receptive to the new information presented, we also encourage the brain to function at a higher learning level as the new information is being learned through application rather then simple memorization.
This is the reason in our J’Adore Dance programs we present our classes in a progression of repetition with variation. We want our dancers to master their skills and feel confident in their learning, while adding challenge and new learning through variations of new steps and/or dance concepts. We find this approach to be very successful for all learners/dancers.
On a personal level I try to remember this when Bria is asking me to read her the same story for the millionth time or listen to the same song 10 times in a row! LOL! While I may have to grin and bare it, it gives me great satisfaction to know I am helping with her learning and confidence. A fun game we like to play is “mommy makes mistakes” where we read a story a play a game but I purposely make mistakes. Bria takes great joy in pointing them out and correcting me! Plus it helps keep things fun and fresh for me :)
