A Year of Joyful Learning – The Structure of the Year in our Hwyl a Sbri Classes

From their first tap steps to their final scarf dance of the term, our youngest independent dancers experience a magical journey of movement, imagination, and growth throughout the year in Hwyl a Sbri classes at Flame Dance Studios. Here’s a look at how we structure the year for our 2½–6 year olds – and why it matters.

September to February: Show Season Through Story

From the very first week in September, our dancers step into a world of adventure. Each term is based on one of our four show themes (e.g. 'Wicked Worlds' or 'Alt-rock'), and lessons are carefully designed so that show routines emerge naturally from the weekly narrative. Children might be flying to Oz, diving under the sea, or marching through a magical forest – all while learning choreography.

Instead of drilling steps, we embed the show dances into fun, imaginative adventures. Over time, the children learn transitions, formations, and musical cues – all within the comfort of the world they’ve helped create. This makes the performance feel familiar, joyful, and exciting, not intimidating.

At our February showcase, the Hwyl a Sbri groups take the stage, some students for their very first performance as part of our wider Flame family. They arrive excited, confident, and ready to shine.

March to July: Deep-Dive into Themed Adventures

Once show season is complete, we enter a more exploratory phase of the year. Our March–July lessons are entirely story- and theme-based, designed to introduce key dance and developmental concepts through imaginative lessons.

Each theme – from animal kingdom to toys & teddies – allows us to focus on specific skills such as coordination, rhythm, balance, or expressive movement. The structure of every lesson includes:

1. Movement exploration

2. Rhythm and music work

3. Creative expression

4. Social skills development

5. Parent-child interaction (for Ti a Fi classes)

   
   

We explore foundational ballet, modern, tap, and commercial techniques in age-appropriate ways - paving the way for their future journeys, either in our ISTD Graded classes or in our recreational Commercial lessons.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

In our Hwyl a Sbri classes, we’re not just teaching steps – we’re nurturing the whole child.

1. Confidence: Children learn to take part without their grown-ups, find their place in the room, and enjoy being seen and celebrated.

   👉 Read more on how we foster confidence in our classes here

2. Language and Listening: Our bilingual teaching supports both Welsh and English vocabulary, while storytelling and music encourage attentive listening.

3. Imagination: Every week brings new characters, props, and scenarios, fostering creativity and abstract thinking.

4. Motor Skills: Through playful repetition and varied activities, children develop coordination, balance, rhythm, and spatial awareness.

5. Community: Being part of a regular group, and our focus on social skills, helps children learn turn-taking, teamwork, and independence.

   
   

Our goal is to create a safe, joyful space where children fall in love with movement and feel proud of what they can do. Whether they’re heading to the jungle, flying to space, or just discovering their left from their right, we celebrate every step of the journey.

We’re so proud of what our youngest dancers achieve each year – and we love watching their confidence blossom as they grow through the Hwyl a Sbri programme. If you’re new to the studio or thinking of joining, we hope this gives you a glimpse into the joyful, magical world of our under-6s!