Professional, powerful, playful preschool dance curriculum
Captivating children's imaginations since 2003
At Leap ‘N Learn we’re on a mission to make early childhood dance education more professional, more powerful, and more playful for all.
We equip dance teachers and studio owners with the ‘what’, the ‘how’, and the ‘why’ of effective and engaging early childhood dance teaching, so that they can provide positive, nurturing learning environments that keep kids coming back for more.
Beyond developing skilled and artistic dancers, Leap ‘N Learn cultivates curious, imaginative, and respectful lifelong learners. We believe in the magic of childhood – it's all about letting kids be little while giving them the best start in life.
We make teaching dance easy and enjoyable.
Leap ‘N Learn is an effective, safe, progressive, and developmentally appropriate dance program for children aged 3-9 years. Created by expert dance teacher, Beverly Spell, and child psychologist, Dr. Annie Spell, and now led by doctoral researcher in dance education, Dr Elena Lambrinos, Leap 'N Learn combines scientifically and educationally sound practices for teaching young children developmentally appropriate dance technique through the magic of pretend play.
Our programs, curriculum, and teacher training are intentionally developed and undergo rigorous testing to help you deliver exciting, educational, and engaging content with ease. Whether it's our comprehensive curriculum for ages 3 through 9, a DANCEcamp™ or Halloween Kit, you’ll experience the Leap ‘N Learn difference through:
🌈 developmentally-appropriate material that supports the whole child.
🌈 engaging and educational content that keeps kids coming back for more.
🌈 tried-and-tested exercises, activities and ideas that teachers love to teach!
“As en early childhood educator I am impressed with the comprehensive design of the curriculum that balances dance technique and creative expression with child and developmental psychology. ”
There’s a method behind the magic ✨
Leap 'N Learn isn't just a bunch of exercises - it's a teaching method.
Developed by experts, the curriculum was created with children's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development in mind... but we didn't stop there. We integrated it with on-the-ground knowledge of what sparks joy, excitement and curiosity in our youngest dancers.
This award winning combo of research and real life experience maximizes student engagement, learning outcomes, and enjoyment... that means kids who LOVE coming to dance and teachers who walk in to each class with confidence.
The curriculum is continually updated with new research and emerging methods to ensure Leap 'N Learn studios are always at the cutting edge of dance education.
We’re a bit different… and it shows!
We hear it from Leap 'N Learn members and their teachers all the time – the difference of quality curriculum and training is visible, tangible, and it’s incredible… the kind of results that’ll blow your mind and knock your socks off all at once!
Once you start teaching the Leap 'N Learn way, you'll never look back!
It's no wonder why Leap 'N Learn is the first choice for studio owners who value the transformational power of quality education.
“Leap ‘N Learn is a breath of fresh air. The program is beautifully structured, high-quality early childhood dance curriculum. ”
A team of dedicated dance experts and enthusiasts on your side
Elena Lambrinos, PhD
Director (the ideas start here)
Dance teacher ✅
Dance studio owner ✅
Dance education researcher ✅
Dance teacher trainer ✅
Dance curriculum developer ✅
…you might say dance is a special interest area! With a PhD in the Sociology of Education exploring knowledge-building in children’s dance classes, Elena’s research examines how technical knowledge and dispositions are taught and developed over time. Straddling academic and professional roles, Elena's aim is to transform the way we think about, do, and teach dance. As a TEDx speaker and an Inner West Council International Women’s Day Honour Roll member for equality, empowerment, social justice and inclusion, Elena advocates for the power and potential of inclusive dance education. Nothing lights her up like helping dance studios across the world provide more effective, engaging and accessible dance experiences for all.
Millie Hing
Operations & Project Manager (transforms ideas into reality)
As Operations & Project Manager, Millie works her magic to ensure Leap ‘N Learn continually delivers inspiring and professional products and programs. When she isn’t streamlining systems or managing timelines and deliverables, you’ll find Millie where she’s most at home – on the theatre stage!
As a certified Leap 'N Learn teacher, children’s workshop facilitator, and experienced dance studio manager, Millie’s knowledge of what happens in the studio and behind the scenes makes her an unstoppable force in understanding the needs of dance teachers and studio owners.
Sally Reay
Curriculum Developer (and our creative movement genius)
Sally is a teacher, facilitator and program developer with extensive experience in creative arts education. She has a Masters of Teaching and has worked across studios, schools, and arts programs, creating high quality learning experiences for students of all ages and levels. As well as facilitating creative movement courses at disability services across Sydney, Sally was the founder and director of a dance school for people with intellectual disabilities. She is passionate about inclusion and accessibility in the arts. As a teacher, Sally believes connection and creativity are the key ingredients for instilling a love of dance.
Alice Weber, MFA
Curriculum Developer (and our resident ballet expert)
Alice is a dance artist and teacher working with performance, choreography and research outputs. She is currently undertaking her PhD researching in dance education and holds an MFA in Choreography. Using her various backgrounds across classical ballet, contemporary performance and critical dance studies, Alice’s work considers dance as the embodiment of cultural value, and what this means for classical technique in the contemporary context. Alice teaches in private dance studios and tertiary institutions, combining classical dance training with open-mindedness and a rigorous critical lens. She believes there is a place for the codified aesthetics of ballet within progressive dance education, through a process of care, criticality and reflection.
Beverly F. Spell
Leap ‘N Learn Creator & Early Childhood Dance Expert
Beverly incorporated the insights, ideas, and years of intense study of ballet, childhood development and creative movement into the comprehensive and progressive early childhood dance curriculum that Leap 'N Learn is today. A leading authority on early childhood dance education, Beverly passes on her knowledge and expertise to Licensed Members and their teams at our annual training events.
Dr. Annie Spell
Leap ‘N Learn Co-Creator & Child Psychologist
Child psychologist, Dr. Annie Spell, Ph.D. first began working with Beverly in 2004 while completing her master’s in child clinical psychology. Through casual kitchen conversation with Beverly the idea for the original Leap ’N Learn syllabus was born. As the child psychology consultant for Leap ’N Learn, Dr. Annie merged her knowledge of research and theory into Leap ’N Learn to expand dance edicators' understanding of child behavior and development.
Seeing is believing – bring the magic of Leap ‘N Learn into your studio with these tried-and-tested packages
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