Thread: What would you teach to elementary-school kids?

Not a regular class, but a special one-day event. I was thinking a lot of veils, running around with them and making big shapes, shimmies, and also some finger cymbals, because what kid doesn't like to make a racket? I was thinking no hip work or undulations, but definitely some arms and hands, maybe a little step-hip...just not heavy-duty hips.

Any advice? What works for kids, and what doesn't?

thanks!
-Leela

I have 4 daughters and let me tell you they love the veil. You give them a veil (or veil fan even) and they come up with some cool stuff all on their own. Zills would be fun for them too. I would definitely do those plus shimmies and spins. Be sure to let us know how it goes. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun. ..l;,

Spinning! Kids just seem to LOVE to spin.

When I've taught Brownie troupes, they suck up choreography like little sponges, too. They don't seem to care much about doing it right, and that's OK. But they memorize FAST and choreo gives a nice sense of structure to the group. Behaviorally, so many kids do poorly in a chatoic environment, it helps to keep reeling them back in.

I teach children in a big circle. If we break the circle to run around with veils (relay race style, always waiting in line for your turn, helps if they have something to do while waiting for their turn, like clap to the rhythm or zaghareet!) we keep coming back to the circle. That structure really helps the kids who lose it easily.

why skip hip work and undulations? kids rock at those! undulations especially seem to come naturally. I have kids do shimmies and hip bumps/drops and twists.

just an aside... teaching bellydance to kids in a situation like this (a one time deal) can be so fascinating. up to a certain age, they are such pure mimics and un-selfconscious about moving their bodies. you do a movement, and they do it exactly! and then around a certain age, they (girls especially) begin to see things through a filter: they see you do a move, then think of shakira or whatever, and end up doing some souped-up version of the movement you just demonstrated. (kind of like when you're at a restaurant and show a patron a delicate hip drop, and they spread their knees way out, arch their backs and give you a ranchy bump and grind, saying, 'ooh! like THIS?' :P NO. THAT IS NOT WHAT I JUST DID YOU MORON. :p )

Originally Posted by elisagamal

(kind of like when you're at a restaurant and show a patron a delicate hip drop, and they spread their knees way out, arch their backs and give you a ranchy bump and grind, saying, 'ooh! like THIS?' :P NO. THAT IS NOT WHAT I JUST DID YOU MORON. :p )

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,..cr.:..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,

It's funny because it's true.

Kids like eye catching things. Undulations are good. Veils are also good. And also a happy music!
Are you going to teach little girls or boys as well?

That's a good question! I'm not sure. I'm guessing that fun, modern pop music would go over well, and also some big swishy music for veils. Not too slow, but not disco either.

This is all a great help! Thanks so much!

- Leela

I asked because there's a huge difference between little girls and boys about bellydancing!
Girls will want to do everything, they wanna look pretty, they wanna look older... You know. But sometimes boys are a bit silly, making fun of what you do with your body... Especially if they're next to the girls!

..l;,

Bring hip scarves. OMG you would think they were like candy. I have a handout with pictures I made a while ago for young kiddos.

I've had to teach a mixed group of boys and girls for 3 hours, some time ago. I did cane ! they loved it, and the boys did not fight with cane as much as I expected.