Development of coordination abilities of children aged 5-6 years by means of sports dances

Purpose: to experimentally substantiate the methodology of development of coordination abilities of children aged 5-6 years by means of sports dances. The experimental methodology included exercises for the development of spatial orientation, time orientation, agility, and balance function. The selection of exercises was based on the principle of ‘from simple to complex’, so children's coordination movements did not encounter any obstacles. Having learnt a simple movement, various elements involving the arms, shoulders and head were added. This contributed to the development of the ability to control body movements. The exercises are unusual in their structure, so children like to do them with musical accompaniment. Under the influence of music, the movements became clearer, more rhythmic, and coordinated. Musical and rhythmic movements helped children to learn to control their body, coordinate movements, coordinating them with movements of other children, taught to orientate in space, consolidated basic types of movements, and contributed to mastering dance elements. The organisation of the educational and training process in the control and experimental groups had common features and differences. Exercises for development of coordination abilities in the control group were performed at the beginning of the lesson (during warm-up), at the end of the main part and after physical activity at the end of the lesson; Exercises for development of coordination abilities in the experimental group were performed during the lesson when performing each task. For each dance task a complex of coordination exercises was developed. The study determined the effectiveness of the influence of health-improving classes with elements of sports dances on the development of coordination abilities of children aged 5-6 years; significant improvements were noted in the level of vestibular stability, dynamic balance and sense of rhythm.