Dance It Up-KidsUSA   

Dance can motivate                 children toward optimal performance

Dance It Up-KidsUSA (DIUKU) has a passion for innovation and education, using dance as a compelling coaching tool. Research has shown that dance can help children develop crucial skills to become healthy, happy and equipped to meet social and academic expectations in their schools and communities. The program targets first through eighth grade students who attend public schools and youth recreation programs in racially and culturally diverse communities. 

DIUKU has three major areas of concentration:

1. Healthy Competition & Group Cooperation
2. Physical Fitness & Self-Image/Esteem
3. Social Skills Development & Positive Behavior Modeling

Healthy Competition and Cooperation: 

Winning and losing are facts of life; therefore, children should learn the healthy aspects of how to win, accept failure, compete, and work together as a team—children do not learn these skills in traditional education.  Learning these skills can help children avoid unhealthy conflicts, feel crushed when they lose or fail and learn to respect differences. Essentially, the use of these skills is important in school and life. Skills such as team cooperation will be critical when students enter the workforce and/or attend college.    

DIUKU has organized a core group of dancers, who perform at public events such as high school sporting game half-times and performances produced by DIUKU. DIUKU selects children from DIUKUs physical fitness program, who demonstrate above satisfactory skills in dance. As a part of the core team, kids have a responsibility to grow into peer leaders, be role models and develop advanced skills that position them for success long term, particularly if they plan to attend college and/or pursue a career.  

Physical Fitness & Self Image

Dance component led by leadership team member TiAnna McDaniel will teach children a variety of dances with emphasis on Hip Hop.  Kids love Hip Hop dance and given how intensive some of the dance moves are, children will get into shape plus have fun doing it!

Social Skills Development & Positive Behavior Modeling: 

In an article on MSNBC.com http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21017939/, authors of a book called “Learning Social Skills Spells Success in School,” surveyed 8,000 teachers, who stressed the importance of children learning social skills to exceed in school.  According to the authors, "increase in social skills means that kids will be more amenable to learning." 

The idea for the Life Enrichment component came from DIUKU's co-founders Sylvia McDaniel and Brenda Stewart. As children, both McDaniel and Stewart attended "charm school" at the urging of their mother Janice McDaniel who passed on over 20 years ago.  McDaniel stressed the importance of developing good etiquette and positive social behaviors. Apparently, her ideals stemmed from her southern roots--Janice was born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama as the daughter of John and Lila Jackson who exemplified the value of positive self worth. Both parents were college graduates--Lila Jackson was an educator--and insisted that their three children pursue their degrees. Two out of the three children graduated college (the eldest son passed away at the age of 16).

Janice went on to marry John McDaniel, who also acquired his degree.  Given this family history, is it any wonder that such a great organization has come into fruition? DIUKU's rich lineage will serve as a reminder that focusing on developing one's self worth can have lasting positive affects--throughout generations!  

For more information on the program, how you can help or make a donation, contact us by email or telephone.