Class 4 · Arts · New NCERT
Chapter 17: Emotion and Expression in Dance
"Emotion and Expression in Dance" explores how movement shows feeling. Children try expressing joy, anger, surprise, calm and other emotions through posture, gesture, face and speed, and see how the same movement can mean different things. Indian classical and folk dance often use facial expression and gesture, and the chapter brings this idea into the classroom. It builds emotional awareness and empathy and provides a language for talking about feelings. Circle time helps children share what they felt while dancing.
This is chapter 17 of 18 in Bansuri, the Class 4 Arts textbook, in the Dance section, and begins on page 170 of the printed 2026-27 book. It follows "Creating My Dance" and is followed by "Dances Around Me".
The activities in "Emotion and Expression in Dance" are suggestions that teachers can select, adapt and extend. Children may work alone or in groups, and the book reminds teachers that diversity of expression is the beauty of childhood. Assessment tools in the book track growth in competence and skill over time. Families can help by providing simple materials, displaying the child's work and encouraging practice at home without criticism.
Provide simple materials at home, such as paper, crayons, clay, leaves or household objects, and let your child explore without worrying about the result. Display their work and ask them to talk about what they made or performed in "Emotion and Expression in Dance". Avoid comparing it with others' work.
This overview is written from the 2026-27 textbook's Contents page, its preface and the chapter title, to help families and teachers prepare. Please read the chapter itself for exact content, activities and exercises.