The Dancing Light

The Dancing Light is the second in a series of books by dance educator Karen Diaz Ensanian, created to facilitate dance making with young children. The book exposes them to beautiful visual art, view photos of young dancers demonstrating science concepts through their movement, and hear poetic verse and action words that help them illustrate the nature of LIGHT. By embodying this information, the student makes deep connections in their body, mind, to the world, and to the nature of light. This is an opportunity to learn by way of movement. Internalizing the information and imagery, students will gain a greater understanding of light and possibilities for creativity. Throughout the book there are questions that provide opportunities for children to find their own unique ways of moving.

The journey of the book follows the path of light: light found in nature, light that is man-made, the way light moves through reflection and refraction, its importance for plant life, and finally what happens when light is blocked.

Each of the thirteen original paintings by the author combined with the photos of dancers can also be used as a tool for creating dance lessons in the classroom that enrich the study of LIGHT. Paintings set the stage for the creation of dances with different light concepts such as sunlight, bioluminescence, shadows, electricity, lightning, reflection, refraction, and more. ‘Tips for Parents and Teachers’ in the back of the book offer a simple set of suggestions for structuring a dance.

Everyone can find inspiration in the dance of light.

The author’s first book, I Can Make a Water Dance, uses a similar format to connect the water cycle with dance. It is successfully being used by Pre-K -5 to enrich the study of the water cycle.