There are many benefits to dancing! Dancing is active living for the body and the brain. In addition to exercising the muscles and improving oxygen intake and circulation, dancing stimulates the parts of the brain to do with memory, concentration, and decision making. Dancing releases endorphins in the brain, which relieve stress and improve well-being and health. We become educated about other cultures and traditions through Dance - and it's also a whole lot of fun!

Dancing fulfils Program work in AT LEAST the following Program areas:

  • Sparks - Myself, Sharing, The World Around Us
  • Brownies - My Window on People, Creating and Performing Outlook
  • Guides - My Community, My Future
  • Pathfinders - Be Prepared in the Community, Community Emblem, Leadership Emblem, World Emblem
  • Cadets, Junior Leaders - Practical Experience
  • Rangers - Active Living, Creative Arts

Dance can also be used in ceremonies, Guide's Own or Campfire. Older girls can fulfil Program requirements for working with younger girls by teaching a simple dance. There are dancing resources listed in the Leaders' Toolkit for the different Branches.

Here are a few of the most common steps with modifications I have used for dancers with special needs. Use your creativity and experiment with different music styles and steps appropriate to your own special needs.

Adapted dance step: Circle formation

Level of difficulty:

MODERATE
"Scatter" formation - Dancers with special needs may sometimes be better accommodated with individuals or partners spread around the room in "scatter" formation.

LOW
Dancer with special needs may take a position at the centre of the circle for the entire dance - may wear a crown, and/or shake maracas, tambourine or streamers.

Adapted dance step: "Number off" for partners

Level of difficulty:

MODERATE
Divide all dancers using 2 bright visible colours instead of numbers, eg: red and blue aprons, ribbons, or bibs.

Adapted dance step: Hold hands

Level of difficulty:

MODERATE
Tie ribbons onto the back of a wheelchair or clothing. Partners can hold the ribbons, or have them tied to their clothing, and have more freedom of movement while remaining connected to their partners. (Looks pretty, too!)

Adapted dance step: walk/skip/run

Level of difficulty:

HIGH
If the directions state "walk/skip/run for 8 beats" count 4 in the same length of time (tip: count "one AND two AND three AND four" instead of "one two three four five six seven eight) to require half the number of steps and slow the pace.

MODERATE
All dancers remain in position, stand (or sit) and do any combination of nodding, waving, stamping and clapping to the beat.

LOW
Dancer with special needs remains in position for the entire dance - may wear a crown, and/or shake maracas, tambourine or streamers. Circle formation: may take a position at the centre of the circle.

Adapted dance step: Elbow swing

Level of difficulty:

MODERATE
Ambulatory dancer walks or skips in a circle around the non-ambulatory dancer, who may nod, clap or wave to the beat.

LOW
Partners remain apart, bend their elbows and swing their arms back and forth like a pendulum.

Adapted dance step: Clap partner's hands

Level of difficulty:

LOW
Dancers clap their own hands.
Dancers use an alternative action such as nodding, waving or stamping.

Adapted dance step: Change direction

Level of difficulty:

HIGH
All dancers remain in position and turn to face one way, then the other while performing any combination of nodding, waving, stamping and clapping to the beat.

MODERATE
All dancers remain in position and face one direction while performing any combination of nodding, waving, stamping and clapping to the beat. Circle formation: all dancers face inward.

LOW
Dancer with special needs remains in position for the entire dance - may wear a crown, and/or shake maracas, tambourine or streamers. Circle formation: may take a position at the centre of the circle.

Adapted dance step: Change partners

Level of difficulty:

HIGH
Partners are designated using colours and only one colour moves. Eg: all "reds" proceed in the same direction, moving to a new "blue" partner.

MODERATE
During the time allotted for changing partners, one or both partners turns on the spot and remains with the same partner.

LOW
During the time allotted for changing partners, all dancers remain with the same partner, performing any combination of nodding, waving, stamping or clapping to the beat until the cycle of steps begins again.

Shelagh Walsh, Lions Area Arts Trainer