Movement and Reading Go Hand in Hand

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — As recorded music cranked up one recent evening, Penny Bryson led a dozen students, ages 4 to 11, in a line onto the dance floor.
"We're going to start off with balance," she said. "Right foot and up. Hold it." Pause. "Left foot forward. Back. Repeat."
The routine included front, back and side kicks, then Bryson instructed, "Now, jazz it all around."
That the students were learning fancy footwork was obvious. Not so apparent was that the youngsters were also improving their reading skills.
It's all part of the Reading in Rhythm program offered at Therapy Beat, a combination dance studio and private school that helps students overcome obstacles such as autism, dyslexia and attention deficit disorder.