17 Jan
2009
17 Jan
'09
11:38 a.m.
Hi,
How have you handled parents bringing their too young children into
a dance insisting "they can do the dance" when they are too small/young
to participate in any meaningful way, and generally are just confused,
clog up the dance and prevent the others from dancing (and the
youngster from having any fun either)? This is probably not a problem
at your usual contra dance, but at "family dance" events (longways and
such).
Cheers,
Sue R.
--
* * * * * * * * * *
Sue Robishaw ~ [1]sue(a)manytracks.com ~ 906-644-2598
770N Fox Rd, Cooks MI 49817 ~ ~ ~ [2]www.ManyTracks.com
Don't just Celebrate Diversity ~ Live it, Look for it,
Appreciate it, Enjoy it ~ Allow it !
* * * * * * * * * *
References
1. mailto:sue@manytracks.com
2. http://www.ManyTracks.com/
17 Jan
17 Jan
11:56 a.m.
if it's really a "family" dance, make sure your program fits the families
that are there! if you've got a bunch of kids on the floor, you should be calling
dances they can do.
however, if it's just one or two, and the parents are pushing it, i explain to them
that as the caller, it's my job to keep an eye on the whole dance floor. kids who are
causing "clogs", especially when there are numerous non-dancers on the floor,
are a danger. tell the parents you're worried that someone will trip over the child
and get hurt, and that you are also concerned that the child could be injured. that
usually makes sense to most parents. this also works for kids who are not
"dancing", but just running around while their parents are dancing.
then tell them you'll call a couple of dances designed for the young kids, and do it
right away. they'll get tired and quit pretty quick, and everyone will have had a
good experience, and the parents will probably thank you for being so aware of their
kids.
good luck!!!
barb> Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 11:38:42 -0500> From: sue(a)manytracks.com> To:
callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] Young Children at Dance> > Hi,>
How have you handled parents bringing their too young children into> a dance insisting
"they can do the dance" when they are too small/young> to participate in any
meaningful way, and generally are just confused,> clog up the dance and prevent the
others from dancing (and the> youngster from having any fun either)? This is probably
not a problem> at your usual contra dance, but at "family dance" events
(longways and> such).> Cheers,> Sue R.> > --> > * * * * * * * * *
*> > Sue Robishaw ~ [1]sue(a)manytracks.com ~ 906-644-2598> 770N Fox Rd, Cooks MI
49817 ~ ~ ~ [2]www.ManyTracks.com> > Don't just Celebrate Diversity ~ Live it,
Look for it,> Appreciate it, Enjoy it ~ Allow it !> > * * * * * * * * * *>
> References> > 1. mailto:sue@manytracks.com> 2.
http://www.ManyTracks.com/> _______________________________________________> Callers
mailing list> Callers(a)sharedweight.net>
http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
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2:47 p.m.
The first priority is that we should praise, encourage, and celebrate
the participation of children at any open, public contra dance. Your
question hinges upon how you define the "problem" here. At public
dances it is the callers role to integrate all participants and
provide a program that is enjoyable for all. Integration is the key
factor and should be the focus of your efforts whenever there are
novice dancers present. Generally you should consider calling easy,
flowing dances that require little or no teaching and limit each
partnering to less than 10 minutes. This will make the experience of
dancing with newcomers more enjoyable and will encourage more adults
and regular dancers to be more generous in partnering with children
and novices.
Don't fall into the trap of making the children the
"problem." Remember that the caller is responsible for everything
that happens in the hall and any frustration by any experienced
dancer is your problem, not a child's or even the parent's. The key
is to enlist the support of all the regulars and make sure it is an
enjoyable experience for them as well. Once you achieve the goal of
integrating the novices your "problem" will be greatly diminished.
Generally I think children should be encouraged but, if they dance,
they should pay admission. The community may decide to offer a lower
price but all dancers should pay admission. If the young children
are, in fact, not having fun they are not likely to continue. That
would be the worst outcome. If they are encouraged, praised, and
successful they are likely to take pride in their ability to
participate with the adults and will be motivated to learn
quickly. That would be the best outcome. With skillful, precise,
and effective calling I think you can enlist the support of all of
the regular dancers in achieving that goal.
Just a thought,
Greg McKenzie
********
At 08:38 AM 1/17/2009, you wrote:
Hi,
How have you handled parents bringing their too young children into
a dance insisting "they can do the dance" when they are too small/young
to participate in any meaningful way, and generally are just confused,
clog up the dance and prevent the others from dancing (and the
youngster from having any fun either)? This is probably not a problem
at your usual contra dance, but at "family dance" events (longways and
such).
Cheers,
Sue R.
--
* * * * * * * * * *
Sue Robishaw ~ [1]sue(a)manytracks.com ~ 906-644-2598
770N Fox Rd, Cooks MI 49817 ~ ~ ~ [2]www.ManyTracks.com
Don't just Celebrate Diversity ~ Live it, Look for it,
Appreciate it, Enjoy it ~ Allow it !
* * * * * * * * * *
References
1. mailto:sue@manytracks.com
2. http://www.ManyTracks.com/
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2 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
-
barb kirchner -
Greg McKenzie -
Sue Robishaw