Dancercise Blog

We are thrilled that The National Parenting Center just awarded Tessa’s CD “Dance It!” a Seal Of Approval in its Spring 2009 products category. We particularly value this award because the assessments reflect the views of real parents and real children. As TNPC describes the program, “The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval program, created in 1990 as an adjunct to TNPC’s support services, identifies the finest products and services being marketed to the parent/child audience. From educational and entertainment products and equipment to travel destinations, the consumer oriented testing process solicits evaluations from parents and their children. This award signifies to other parents that their peers have acknowledged a product’s quality and desirability based on a wide variety of determining factors.”

There are a number of award and recognition programs out there. As you decide which ones to take seriously and which ones to ignore, consider who the reviewers are, whether you identify with the reviewers, and whether the reviewers may bring their own personal tastes and biases to their assessments rather than reflecting those of their audience. That’s why we’re thrilled with this one – recognition from our real audience.

Read the detailed review here.

See this wonderful video of Sir Ken Robinson discussing creativity in schools, which I found thanks to the good people at BAM! Street. In particular, listen to the example in the last five minutes about the girl who – today – would be diagnosed ADD, but went on to have a flourishing and successful career in the arts because of the insight of a doctor.

This is what I’ve taken to calling the “Lego Principle” (apologies to the good people at Lego). What I mean by that is that we so easily fall into the habit of telling kids what WE think they SHOULD do instead of letting them explore. Why the reference to Lego? The apparent trend to sell more and more kits that simply put kids through a 75 step instruction book to build the latest vehicle from a movie, including Lego pieces specifically designed for that project, instead of encouraging kids to use their imaginations to create something innovative and new.

We’re passionate about this. Not just dance and movement which, of course, is our at our core, but in what it means for children that are born with such a vast array of promise and talents that, so often in our 19th century education system, are not realized. The solutions to the world’s challenges are unlikely to come from kids educated by system designed to create the industrial workers of the early 20th century.

By the way, please don’t infer from this that I cast blame on teachers. Many many teachers do what they can with the relatively limited freedom they are given. But when our whole system seems geared around passing tests, the rest is so easily lost.

Larry Goldman over at Crazy Kids Chicago was kind enough to publish this review of Tessa’s new CD “Dance It!”. We’re obviously pleased that Larry saw in the music the very messages that we hope that parents and kids will hear. If you’re in the Chicago area, check out Larry’s website and free subscription for parent-reviewed options on what to do with your kids. If you’re in the twin cities, come and see Tessa live at one of her upcoming concerts and appearances.