A CHILDREN S dance technique which was developed by a St Ives woman and is taught in Cambourne is finding favour at pre-schools across the UK and as far away as Australia. Dance teacher and author, Jill Bridger, has developed a book and CD combination cal

A CHILDREN'S dance technique which was developed by a St Ives woman and is taught in Cambourne is finding favour at pre-schools across the UK and as far away as Australia.

Dance teacher and author, Jill Bridger, has developed a book and CD combination called Melody Movement after she started to form the idea at her ballet classes in Cambourne.

The books - the second in the series, Melody Bear and the Musical Instruments, just published - are based around a dancing teddy, called Melody Bear.

Each title incorporates an early learning syllabus for children aged two to four and, according to Ms Bridger, are getting young children active and learning new skills around the globe.

Ms Bridger, who set up the Jill Bridger School of Dance in 1988, said: "Teachers in Australia and America are using my Melody Movement syllabus and finding it delivers for toddlers in terms of increased socialisation, learning to follow simple commands, working as a team, taking your turn, and many other life skills."

The first Melody Bear book sold 400 copies. Her new book comes complete with a CD that allows children to listen to different sounds and react with an accompanying dance or movement.

Ms Bridger, who has one son aged 13 and two step-sons aged 12 and 14, added: "I believe it's important to keep young minds active in a way which is suited to their level of development, which is not boring and adds real value to their lives.

"More and more young children are interested in learning to dance for the sheer exuberant joy of running, skipping, jumping and galloping to music in a controlled environment with Melody Bear as the focus of their shared experience."

INFORMATION: To find out more visit the web site at www.melodymovement.com