Advice on getting little ones to dance in talent show.

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

Me and my advice threads.. lol

Every afternoon for an hour I teach Irish dance to a group of girls ranging from Kindergartin to 12th grade. Next Saturday all my students are in a talent show and and will be performing. Here's the thing... in my beginner class there are 5 girls ages 5-6 and they want to perform. A lot of the girls are new so their still trying to find their feet. I have choreographed a little dance, about a minute long, and its super easy except these girls are off in lala land when its time to teach it to them. Half of them are running around screeching, and the other half are in lala land... HELP!! What can I do to get them ready for the show next Saturday? We've been practicing for 2 wks and its still not going anywhere.

 

[juliefurry]

Well those kids are at that age where they want to do everything BUT what you want. You need to tell the kids that in order to be in the talent show they have to listen to you and do the dance because they can't do what they are doing at the talent show. Let them know what a big deal this show will be and that they have to be on their best behavior.

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

I have and it still dosent sink in.. lol Their all very cute and I'd hate to not include them but its like teaching a brick wall to dance.. it dosent.

 

[blue]

Start by just having them watch. Put the music on and you show them the moves and show them some advanced moves as well. Do what Julie said get them inline and just watch and listen to the music, dont worry about the show and make it fun. When it is time for the show make it fun.

I have no idea how you "make it fun" for 5 year olds.

 

[Dreeza]

Well those kids are at that age where they want to do everything BUT what you want. You need to tell the kids that in order to be in the talent show they have to listen to you and do the dance because they can't do what they are doing at the talent show. Let them know what a big deal this show will be and that they have to be on their best behavior.

yeah, or just threathen that you will tell their mommies, and not let them eat their lunches for a week...

JK JK!! but maybe bring in a 'special' treat for them? And of course they can only get it when they behave!!!!

so each time one of them starts doing the right thing, give them a treat right then...

oh wait, lol, you are talking about kids...hehehe

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

Dreeza.. good idea.. didnt think of that.. hmm skittles.. kids love skittles.. lol Bribe the little ones with candy..

 

[smkie]

can you bring in any friends to do the dance with you?seeing a couple grownups dancing just for them should get their attention.. show them the dress if you have it with the beautiful embriodery,let them see a film of the dance and what they could do if they all pull together? ( i would use the film as a last resort..kids are soooo burned out on films but seeing touching that beautiful dress..ahhh my) tell them a story of when you were little..when you first remember trying to learn and how hard/or clumsy you felt..but your friends helped you and when you first did it for people how it made you feel...etc
nothing wrong with a little compitition as long as you can bring up the slaggers..take the children that have the dance down best..put them in a line in front and then the teacher join those that are having a harder time paying attention, or alternate someone that has it down and put them inbetween your slackers.

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

Start by just having them watch. Put the music on and you show them the moves and show them some advanced moves as well.

I have been doing that.. the past 2 wks.. but now its time to learn the dance.

show them the dress if you have it with the beautiful embriodery,let them see a film of the dance and what they could do if they all pull together?

Yep, I have done that too.

They're all interested but when it comes down to actual teaching its a zoo.. lol

 

[blue]

I cant dance and I cant teach Im out of my ellement.

 

[smkie]

can you come up with a funny song to go along with the steps..something that will make them giggle but help them remember at the same time?
just tossing ideas off the top of my head since i am surrounded in little girls lately. something off the wall..since you don't have much time left

as my graphic art teacher said at the tute.whatever it takes to get the job done squishing up my baby bubble bee kind of silly..something that goes with the steps or the timing.

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

Aww cute smkie. No I havent thought of that. I do say "point cut stamp stamp stamp" and they seem to dig the stamp stamp stamp part. We all say it together 3 times in a row and they seem to get a kick out of it.

 

[smkie]

sometimes silly wins great loyalty

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

Yes it does

My friend just told me to give them loads of ridilin.. lol

 

[smkie]

is that the major step? point cut stampstampstamp? is there more?

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

They do point, cut, stamp stamp stamp 3 times, then they grab their partners hands and turn in circles for 3 counts then they do the point, cut, stamp stamp stamp 3 times again and turn in circles and thats their dance. Simple, very repetitive, easy for a 5-6 yr. old to learn and short.

I wanted something they could remember and that wouldnt be to hard as they are still just starting out.

 

[bubbatd]

Can't the little ones just do something easy together ??

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

That IS easy.. lol It may sound hard but it isnt and they are all doing it together as a group.

 

[smkie]

sounds easy enough i am letting my mind play with it but cant promise..seems like it is just right there too....darn it.
I have three children two grown now and then Hyia she is 6. My grandson is only a year so i cant compare him to the others yet...
Mypy might have done this if she was in love with you..Hyia would deffinately try but she would be shy..Aaron would have invented his own steps to put around yours and forgotten that you were there all together. I dont relish your job!

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

Mypy and Hyia. Very unique names. I like them! My names only unique because of the spelling.. lol I've learned that kids pick up steps a lot faster then adults but adults are easier to teach

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

smkie.. since you have a little one maybe you'll know the song were dancing too. Its by the Wiggles. Its called DI DIKI DO DUM DI DIKO DO. The perform it with little Irish dancers.. too cute!!