Health or Art? The Case for Dance in the Curriculum of British State Schools 1909-1919

摘要

Dance, as an art form, has traditionally been associated with the programmes of study for physical education in British schools during the twenty-first century. This discussion examines its dual role—as a means of healthy exercise and artistic expression within the specific framework of the Liberal Reforms. It reveals the impact of a systematic and methodical dissemination of dance within the framework of 'physical exercises' to the more coherent concept of 'physical training' by critically appraising the specific content of lessons for children of varying ages. References are made to specific case studies revealing how children were both empowered and enthused to become happy, healthy dancing children.