fostering creative movement in kids FROM THE OUTSIDE, IT LOOKS LIKE ANNE MOTL’S PRIMARY JOB IS SIMPLY TO ENCOURAGE KIDS TO HAVE FUN. DURING HER CREATIVE MOVEMENT CLASSES, CHILDREN MIGHT DANCE AND SING TO NURSERY RHYMES OR THEY MIGHT JUMP, LEAP, SKIP AND CRAWL THEIR WAY ACROSS THE FLOOR WHILE LAUGHING WITH THEIR FRIENDS. Motl says having fun is an important theme, but she’s after something much more significant—using creative movement to help children develop healthy patterns in their minds and bodies. “Creative movement can mean many different things and take many forms,” Motl says. However, she uses her extensive dance background combined with the philosophy behind the BrainDance system, which was created by Seattle native Anne Green Gilbert, to organize a specific structure meant to stimulate young children. Motl grew up in Minnesota and began dancing at the age of 5. At 18, she followed her passion to Bellingham, where she studied modern dance, before transferring to Cornish College of the Arts and graduating with a bachelor of fine arts in modern dance.
48 | august 2017 reflections