Childrens Dance Classes

Jo Dahl

March 20, 2006, 5:43 a.m. (Message 44749)

> Following the discussions on teaching children the enjoyment of  
> Scottish Country dancing, I enclose my letter to the editor of our  
> tri-monthly magazine, "Scottish Ramble, Queensland Australia,  
> Branch. I must say we envied your description of 700 children  
> dancing at one time - our Branch summons up to 30 at one time, ages  
> rangin from 2-15+!!!
>
>> "Greetings Glenis from Jo Dahl of the Caledonians.  I've not
>> contributed before, but feel compelled to tell our members how
>> impressive is the instruction given by Cathy McCleod to the  
>> children of the Society here in Brisbane.
>>   Here goes!
>>
>> On 4th March we took our granddaughter, Amy, to the first children's
>> class of this year at St Brigid's Church Hall. She had put her
>> dancing shoes on in the car to be ready!  On arrival Amy skipped into
>> the hall to be greeted by a cheery Heather Heron, who registered her
>> in & gave her her name badge (she had made in craft at the Ceilidh on
>> 4/2).  Then she joined the other six children for an ineresting & fun
>> filled hour & a half of dancing, craft, Scottish history & musical
>> discussion.
>>
>> To start dancing they formed a crocodile, each child in turn creating
>> a different movement followed by the others, forming into a circle
>> for a little footwork .Then in a set the children  became puffins
>> (with wings to flap), deer (with antlers), rabbits (to hop) &
>> hedgehogs, each taking turns to circle the set with appropriate
>> actions!  All such fun!  For the next  dance they were given red or
>> green wrist ribbons so they would know which one had to cast, weave,
>> give hands etc.
>>
>> Time for craft, today colouring in a Celtic Knot in hues of blue &
>> green. More dancing, followed by a discussion about Scotland
>> illustrated with pictures from Cathy's book, also discussed was the
>> violin, construction, pitch etc & it's valuable usage in SCD. After a
>> final dance the happy children reluctanly set off for home. Amy is
>> counting the days until the next class!
>>
>> Altogether this was a most eventful class & a delightful method of
>> introducing children to SCD. Cathy, with her energetic assistant,
>> Nancy Nicol always at the right spot to help, are a wonderful  
>> asset to
>> our Association & we thank them for their time & expertise, giving  
>> so much
>> enjoyment to our next generation of dancers.  Thanks also to the  
>> childre
>> classes committee.
>>
>> Jo Dahl
>> Caledonians"

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