Does your child want to try breaking (breakdance) but there is no class nearby – or you simply want to start at home first? Good news: the basics can be learned in a living room, one small step at a time. This guide is written for parents who want to help, even if you have never danced yourself.
1. Make a safe practice space
- Clear enough floor space so your child can move freely without hitting furniture.
- Use a soft, non-slip surface. A rug or a mat works for footwork; avoid slippery socks on hard floors.
- Always have an adult present when children practise, especially for freezes.
- Take breaks and drink water. Stop if something hurts.
2. Always start with a warm-up
Breaking is physical activity. A few minutes of light movement to music – marching, arm circles, gentle knee bends – gets the body ready. Toprock (the standing dance steps) also works well as a warm-up once your child knows a few steps.
3. Learn the moves in a sensible order
Most beginners do best when they build from standing steps down to the floor:
- Toprock – standing steps danced to the beat. Count out loud together: 1, 2, 3, 4…
- Go-down – the transition from standing to the floor.
- Footwork and six-step – steps on the floor with the hands supporting the body.
- Freezes – holding a pose, for example the baby freeze or chair freeze. Learn these gradually and never force a position.
- Combinations – putting two or three moves together into a short sequence of your child's own.
Leave power moves for later. Strength, balance and confidence come first.
4. Keep sessions short and regular
Short, frequent practice beats one long session. A simple weekly plan helps: pick one or two moves per week, repeat them, and add a new one when the old ones feel easy. A training log where your child ticks off what they practised makes progress visible – and fun.
5. Your role as a parent
- You do not need to dance. Your job is to count the beat, watch for safety and cheer.
- Film a short clip now and then, so your child can see their own progress.
- Talk about respect: in breaking, dancers take turns in a circle (the cypher) and support each other.
- Let your child pick the music – motivation matters more than perfection.
A step-by-step guide you can print
«Breaking steg for steg» is an illustrated PDF guide (A4, 49 pages) from Kulturspiren for parents and children who are starting out. Every step has numbered pictures, counting in time with the music and a marker that shows where the weight should be. It covers warm-up and safety, toprock, go-down, footwork and six-step, freezes (baby freeze, turtle freeze, handglide, chair freeze), swipe, electric boogie (moonwalk, waves, robot, King Tut), battle, and an 8-week plan with a checklist, training log, advice for parents and a glossary. It suits children from about 7 years together with an adult, and teenagers on their own. No dance experience needed. The guide is available in 11 languages, including English.
Teaching a whole group at school, after-school club or youth club? See the teacher pack «Breaking in the gym».
Who is behind Kulturspiren?
The guide's text and concept are by Fredrik Otterbech. He started breakdancing in the 1980s, took part in competitions, later trained in classical ballet at Statens balletthøgskole, and has worked as a dance instructor and choreographer for children and young people.
Breaking involves physical activity. Follow the safety advice and always have an adult present when children practise.