The Props that Prop Us Up

The Schlachte Method – a method that was developed to assist all children regardless of their abilities or disabilities, strengths or weakness, to learn and reap the benefits of a classical ballet education.

This method believes that every child has abilities that can be used as a springboard to learn new skills and enhance each child’s personal accomplishments. Therefore, the methodology uses a wide variety of teaching styles to accommodate all modes of learning and to strengthen each skill set area in all children.

One of the tools the The Schlachte Method is props.

Using props is great for kinesthetic learners. Some kids just learn better with touch. Being able to use a manipulative helps them to internalize the ballet technique. Often holding a wand or scarf with a “ballet” hand, helps the students to be able to understand the movement.

For those children that are visual learners, using props (especially those from the Curriculum DVD) can trigger the motor planning for the student and they then remember and execute the movement. Using props can, like for the kinesthetic learner, help the child understand the ballet technique.

Spatial words are used often in a ballet class to describe movement. To many children those spatial words have little to no meaning until shown in a visual context. Ballet demonstrates through a visual means of movement through space. The Schlachte Method uses props to show students how to move correctly through space. Thus, the use of the props in class benefits children’s ability to abstractly process information and assists with motor planning and coordination.

For example, a ballet teacher will tell students to put their arms in first position. The teacher will describe first position of the arms as holding your arms in front of your navel but have them slightly curved at your elbows like you are holding a giant beach ball. Often children, especially those who are not auditory learners, may not understand. With The Schlachte Method, we actually use an Arm Positioner to help the child feel, see, and experience the correct position of the arm.

Props are an amazing tool to help children fully understand ballet technique and can minimize frustration and maximize ease of learning.