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How to Teach Square Dancing to Children

Dance is an entertaining form of exercise at any age. Square dancing in particular allows children to express themselves in a healthy way. It is ideal for kids of all ages because it teaches them to listen, coordinate their bodies and work with partners or in groups. Typically, you need at least 8 people to form a square dancing line. While the music plays, a person announces each dance move. Teach the children to listen carefully and respond accordingly.

Things You'll Need

  • Square dancing music
  • 8 children
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Instructions

    • 1

      Assign each child a partner. Generally, each couple is made up of a boy and girl. Position the children in a starting square formation. Number each couple either 1, 2, 3 or 4.

    • 2

      Start the square dancing music. Tell the children to respond to the dance moves as their number is called by the announcer.

    • 3

      Have the girls do a curtsey to their partners and the boys a bow. Have the children turn toward the person at their side and then bow to that person.

    • 4

      Ask the children to join hands with their partners and then join hands with the person next to them. Call for the children to skip, dance or walk together in a circle to the right and to the left.

    • 5

      Listen for the announcer to call the number of two couples. Have the kids walk as directed to meet the other couple in the center. Then have each pair return to their starting positions.

    • 6

      Show the children how to promenade. Allow each couple to link arms and skip or walk together in a circle.

    • 7

      Have partners face each other to perform a do-si-do. This is a circular movement in which a person dances around a partner. Ask the children to walk toward the right shoulder of each partner, then skip in a circle around each partner once and return to the starting positions. Have the children face their partners.

    • 8

      Follow and complete all the calls given by the announcer until everyone finishes the dance. Tell the children to bow to their partners, signaling the dance is over.

Square Dance

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