Should Dalcroze Eurhythmics Training be Provided to All Educators: Not Just Music?

Within the last eighteen years, U.S. school populations have shifted dramatically. There are now more students with anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism spectrum disorders, and behavioural classifications. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention these account for roughly 20 million students. In addition, the National Centre for Educational Statistics reports 15% of American public school students require school based services like occupational, physical and speech therapies — roughly 7.2 million children. These students demand more creative and dynamic teachers — yet, teacher training in the U.S. remains relatively the same. Through my experience and research as a eurhythmics teacher, I believe Dalcroze training can provide the types of creative techniques, practices and mindset modern educators must have. This paper will highlight personal experiences as well as research to shows the effectiveness of eurhythmics within varied student populations as well as with teachers and therapists.