Do you ever notice that when your students come into the room they always sit or stand in the same spot? Well, I have window clingers, mirror touchers, piano players, and barre hangers all in my tap class. I noticed today that, they always seem to gravitate to the same spot in the room every week. I wonder if they feel safe there? When I think about when I take dance class, I usually stand in middle, that's where I feel safe. I thought about bringing them out of their comfort zone, so today I tried something new. Every time we moved to a new exercise, I had them find a new spot. I thought maybe this would enable them to see what other parts of the room are like, and maybe stand next to a new person too! It seems so silly, but I think it is a habbit to many of them, and I want them to be able to dance anywhere, not just in the same spot, in the same room every week. Do you find your students like to do this? Do you think its good for them to be in the same spot every week? Or is it best to change it up? I would love to hear!
I took a discipline in the classroom workshop at the Y and they recommended always starting in the same spot with younger children. Then moving them around as the class progresses. That being said, I haven't tried it yet, so I don't know if it works! :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting! Thanks for the comment Joanie!
ReplyDeleteI think that kids to any spot in general is a miracle instead of running around in circles. That said, my kids always change spots because they can't remember where they were the week before. It's the kids that always hang out on the edges that bother me.
ReplyDeletethe edge kids drive me crazy too!
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