My family is big. Spreading the length of the UK from the Highlands of Inverness through to the Capital down South. I have lot of nephews and nieces, cousins with babies and being part of the Kids WhatsApp group is one of the best things! You can never tell what the next video will be - either the Temptation challenge or the 2 youngest diving around an inflatable Pirate ship set up in the garden.
Children have wild imaginations - they play in cardboard boxes or tend to be Owlet from PJ Masks for the entire afternoon. I love getting to see them doing what they do best - suspending their disbelief.
One of my favourite scenes is in the classic film Hook. When Peter is sat around the dinner table along with the lost boys by candlelight. They say grace "GRACE!" and start to tuck in. But what's the deal.... all the food is invisible? When Pan does eventually start to play and use his imagination the banquet of delicious Neverland food is revealed. Of course, it ends in a food fight and the power of believing is the prize.
Dancing and Storytelling is a form of expressive outlet. Connecting to emotional release and interpreting these feelings for pupils in primary schools. They can step into role play and explore other worlds. It helps bridge their understanding in relationships for eg. playing Doctors can provoke empathy to their patients. Playing pretend and becoming superheroes can help work out their fears and boost self-confidence. Children are chatter-boxes and this communication enhances their vocabulary.
Most importantly I think that exercise is vital. Yes to endorphins! I loved listening to Michelle Obamas Audiobook and her fight in childhood obesity. She began a movement all across America to get Kid's moving. Being active as a child builds muscles and strengthens bones. It provides not only physical but also cognitive developments so sensory learning adds to their broad range of skills. Making active children leads to more active adults and all round well -being. Providing Fitness in a fun environment is the key.
Infact, a dance class can also be a source of relaxation - which let's face it in today's world anyone of any age needs to get involved in. Finding a focus to let our very busy minds get some peace is essential. More and more children's extra-curricular activities are taking up their bursting to the seams routines. Although this is not a criticism, I would just want to add that finding stillness and using their concentration towards mindfulness will help to stabilise awareness. Whether it bringing attention to our bodies in the space or combating stress.
As a child I used to practise all - the -time. Taking over the living room for performances or trying to perfect pick-ups and wings in my tap shoes. Wearing out some Lino put down in my Gran's kitchen.
It gave me a sense of achievement and also a way to experience never giving up until something was right.
In classrooms as a learning support assistant I saw that pupils found it difficult to stay on task. Maybe this was because their brains were overstimulated? They might have found distractions or felt unchallenged by their set exercises. The Waggle Dance workshops are different because we want to offer youth-led sessions. Which means a lot of the work they are producing themselves. We facilitate the whole workshop but give them artistic freedom, which for me is the whole reason I am here.
Like the lyrics from Willy Wonka's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory say:
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Wanna change the world?
There's nothing to it.
I'm passionate about performing arts and want to share my workshops in schools and start making a difference.
