Training for Educators – SmartDance
SmartDance – Dance for daycares and schools
Training for educators

More calm and connection in everyday group life. We’ll show you how.

In our training, your team learns simple movement and attention techniques that help children settle, make transitions go smoothly and give the day back to you – instead of to the noise level.

Book an introductory call
Eligible for funding depending on your provider – we help with all the paperwork
Educators at a SmartDance training session

Restlessness, conflict and constant noise in the group room

Many educators are under enormous pressure every day: holding morning circle together, organising transitions, settling conflicts – and doing justice to every single child along the way. Sound familiar?

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There’s Emma, who just can’t settle down in morning circle. The moment the group sits down, she jumps up – and everyone else’s attention goes with her.

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Getting dressed and tidying up with Ben turns chaotic every single time. Transitions take forever – and drain energy you’re missing by the afternoon.

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Mila and Leon are constantly clashing. Settling these conflicts takes energy – energy that’s missing elsewhere: for the children who are being quiet right now.

Usually it isn’t bad intent – it’s a lack of orientation.

Children today grow up with constant sensory overload – always input, always distraction. Without clear signals and rituals to guide their attention, their energy finds its own outlets: noise, movement, conflict.

All these situations add up to more than frustration – over time, they take a toll on educators’ health. Every disruption costs patience. Every loud day wears you down. And that is exactly what can change.

The brain needs focus.
Attention can be trained – through movement, rhythm and clear signals.
Children need security.
Reliable rituals provide stability – and make the group room a safe place.
You need support.
Not new theories – but methods that work tomorrow morning.

You’re probably trying much of this already

And much of it works – but not permanently, and rarely on its own:

Clear rules & rituals

Structure creates security – but rules alone don’t reach children whose bodies are full of unspent energy.

More staff

Extra hands would be valuable – but the staff shortage is real, and waiting isn’t a strategy.

Free play & small groups

Takes the pressure off the day – but only works if the group is generally able to settle.

All of this helps – and yet it often leaves you on your own. Better still: someone at your side who shows your whole team a proven way to stop restlessness from arising in the first place.

This is exactly where SmartDance training comes in: your team experiences first-hand how movement guides attention – and takes away methods that work without explaining, intervening or telling off.

“Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Let me do it and I understand.” – Confucius

What your team can expect from the training

Simple methods

Movement and breathing exercises you can use straight away – in morning circle, during transitions, in restless moments. No materials, no preparation.

Understand what works

You’ll learn why movement regulates attention – explained clearly, without theoretical baggage, linked directly to practice.

Team-building dance workshop

Your colleagues experience dance as something that brings people together – and can even appear as surprise guests at the big show. That strengthens the team and its relationship with the children.

More calm day to day
Less intervening & telling off
More confidence when things get restless

How the training works

In three steps from watching to using the methods yourselves – compact in a single session, right at your setting.

01

Understand what works

We show you the signals, energisers and rituals our instructors use to guide the attention of whole groups – and why it works.

02

Experience it yourselves

Through practical exercises and role play, your team tries out the methods for themselves. What you’ve felt in your own body, you don’t forget.

03

Bringing it into your day

Together we work out where the methods fit into your daily routine – morning circle, transitions, pick-up time. You go back to everyday work with a concrete plan.

What you’ll take away

Energisers: short movement games that bring tired or fidgety groups on board in seconds.
Attention rituals: signals and warm-ups that focus concentration – ideal before activities and mealtimes.
Body & breathing routines: simple exercises for children – and for yourself, to stay clear-headed in stressful moments.

What heads and teachers say

Videos in German – quotes translated.

Bettina Stummer · Head Teacher, Haidenhof Primary School Head teacher 4:01

“Very straightforward, smooth communication, reliable partners. When the classes come back from their lessons, it’s nothing but thumbs up and smiling faces. I can really recommend it.”

Bettina Stummer · Head Teacher, Haidenhof Primary School
Teacher · Haidenhof Primary School Teacher 2:29

“Perfectly structured from a teaching point of view. Today even the boys joined in with real enthusiasm. You can feel how little children move these days – something like this is really, really important. Keep it up!”

Teacher · Haidenhof Primary School
Teacher · Haidenhof Primary School Teacher 1:57

“Everyone does the moves, everyone joins in – even boys I’d never have expected it from. They kept practising the dance moves at break time. A really good project.”

Teacher · Haidenhof Primary School
Heike Bartsch · Kindergarten St. Johannes Head of daycare 1:20

“SmartDance is a wonderfully successful project that Christina took on with a great deal of passion. I saw its beginnings first-hand at our kindergarten – and I’m impressed by how much it has grown.”

Heike Bartsch · Kindergarten St. Johannes

Voices from the teams

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The movement freeze from the training is now a fixed ritual before lunch for us. It works every time – without us having to raise our voices.

Daycare team
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I now see some children through completely different eyes. And the joint dance workshop did more for our team than any team day before it.

Head of setting · Schwabing
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Finally a training session where we didn’t just sit and listen. The very next morning we tried out two of the exercises – and they work.

Educator · Bogenhausen

Frequently asked questions about the training

What actually changes day to day?+
More calm, more focus, less constant intervention. Your team steps in less often, tells children off less – and has capacity again for what matters: the children. The group becomes easier to lead, without anyone having to get louder or stricter.
Who is the training right for – and who is it not for?+
It’s right for you if your team deals with a lot of restlessness, long transitions or exhaustion day to day and wants practical relief. It’s not for you if you’re expecting purely theoretical training or ready-made magic formulas – we work hands-on and tailor everything to your setting.
How is the training organised?+
Compact, in 2–3 hours, right at your setting – as a team afternoon or as part of an in-service training day. If you like, alongside our ongoing courses or the Dance Week, so your team can see the methods live with the children beforehand. Every team member receives a certificate of attendance.
Is the training eligible for funding?+
Depending on your provider and programme, funding may be available – for schools, for example, through relevant funding programmes. We’re happy to help you with all the necessary paperwork.

How to get started

In an initial call, you tell us what’s challenging your team most right now – and we put together a plan that fits your setting. Free and with no obligation.

Book an introductory call