Chinese Primary School Dance Teachers’ Meanings of Teaching Creative Dance in Classrooms in China: “Do not Let the Perfect be the Enemy of the Good”

This research critically examined the teaching of creative dance in primary schools in China. Focusing on teachers’ experiences in learning and teaching dance, the key question motivating this research was: What are Chinese primary school dance teachers’ meanings of teaching creative dance in classrooms in China? Within a qualitative paradigm, phenomenology and constructivism served as the main theoretical frameworks for this research. Through in-depth personal narratives, case studies, and thematic analysis, key issues related to the learning experiences and teaching practices of eight Chinese primary school dance teachers in teaching creative dance emerged. The teachers of creative dance highlighted the following prominent themes: the Chinese historical context remains influential on creative dance teaching practices; key stakeholders have a strong impact on Chinese primary schools and on the teaching of creative dance; and lastly, the pedagogical approaches employed by the creative dance teachers, as well as the fact that the methods they recommended after reflection were tailored to the unique historical and educational environment in China. This research provided comprehensive insights into the meanings of teaching creative dance among eight Chinese primary school dance teachers. The study recommends that for creative dance teaching to continue to develop in China, improvement is needed in pre-service teacher training, in-service teacher professional development, design of creative dance curriculum and lesson planning, as well as comprehensive professional development of principals. Furthermore, fostering a supportive environment for creative dance teaching in primary schools, one that aligns with China’s unique historical and educational context, is essential.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Dance Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

ResearchSpace@Auckland

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Bao, Jie

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Buck, Ralph

• Creative dance
• Chinese primary school dance teaching
• Dance pedagogical approaches
• Curriculum develoment
• Teachers' experiences

Statement dc:rights

• Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2292/74694

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchspace.auckland.ac.nz:2292/74694