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Boys dancing at school and having fun; is it possible? You bet it is! Finding ways to encourage dance for boys in their teenage years requires following a few simple guidelines to catch their interest and motivate them to move. In this article, the following factors will be explored:
1. Positive role models
2. Dynamic movement opportunities
3. Self-expression
4. Athleticism
The following activities and dance compositions are definitely accessible to girls as well. However, the focus of the article is to help teachers encourage reluctant male participants to dance in ways that are considered "cool" and fun (while teaching curriculum!).
Positive role models
"Many boys have the desire to dance but are intimidated by negative stereotypes or discouraged by their parents, who can't get past the stereotypes themselves. Create a school and atmosphere where it's natural and expected to see male dancers, and you open a door for boys to experience the joy that dance has to offer. "
- Rhee Gold
The bottom line here is that positive role models for boys in dance are men who have a positive attitude towards dancing. In western culture the often-disparaging attitude towards men who dance is most effectively confronted by men who embrace dancing as a valid physical activity and means of expression. It is therefore important for male physical education teachers to step forward and teach dance with their students! The earlier boys have a positive experience with dance, the more likely it is that they will have more success with it. Dancing takes skill. If boys put as much effort and time into dance as say, hockey or basketball, then, naturally, they will be more comfortable with it.
Another way of exposing male students to dance is by showing them examples of male dancers and dance performance groups where dance is exciting and engaging. Some excellent examples of males dancing include Savion Glover (Tap dancing), Maori dances from New Zealand and clips from West Side Story which, incidentally, was also choreographed by legendary male film director, dancer and choreographer Jerome Robbins. Please also visit the following link to see video clips of the above noted dances: http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/ pe/boyswontdance.htm.
No matter your gender, building a safe and supportive environment in which your students can...