Why Mirror Dance works

The value of Mirror Dance comes from the choices between its steps, beginning with the request to start a steady beat or quiet song. Mirror a partner’s dance movements to a steady beat, keeping the movement continuous and changing leader on a musical phrase. That opening should make it easier to understand why the next instruction is to leader makes one slow dance movement in time with the beat.

Set up — Start a steady beat or quiet song

No special materials are needed before the child is asked to start a steady beat or quiet song. The setup is ready when the child can start a steady beat or quiet song and then move on to the instruction to leader makes one slow dance movement in time with the beat without a new explanation. Keep movement controlled and sound at a comfortable volume while those two steps are connected.

Step 2 — Leader makes one slow dance movement in time with the beat

After completing the instruction to leader makes one slow dance movement in time with the beat, pause and ask what changed from the earlier step where they had to start a steady beat or quiet song. Use that answer to decide whether they are ready to follower mirrors continuously without stopping the pulse.

Step 3 — Follower mirrors continuously without stopping the pulse

Keep the adult prompt brief while the child tries to follower mirrors continuously without stopping the pulse. If needed, return to the earlier step to leader makes one slow dance movement in time with the beat before asking them to add one change in level or direction on the next phrase.

Step 4 — Add one change in level or direction on the next phrase

Keep the pace slow while the child tries to add one change in level or direction on the next phrase. If the effect is hard to see, simplify that action before continuing with the instruction to switch leaders while the beat continues.

Step 5 — Switch leaders while the beat continues

Treat the attempt to switch leaders while the beat continues as a checkpoint between the earlier step to add one change in level or direction on the next phrase and the coming step to switch leaders while the beat continues. A perfect answer is not required.

What to notice before Switch leaders while the beat continues

After the child has tried to add one change in level or direction on the next phrase, ask what changed. An answer connected to the earlier attempt to follower mirrors continuously without stopping the pulse is good evidence of whether the child can hear or feel the cue and respond without rushing before the final step.

Make Follower mirrors continuously without stopping the pulse easier or harder

If asking the child to follower mirrors continuously without stopping the pulse is too demanding, shorten the pattern and slow the tempo. Once that step is comfortable, change tempo, leadership, or one position in the pattern before returning to the final request to switch leaders while the beat continues.

Finish after Switch leaders while the beat continues

End while the result of asking the child to switch leaders while the beat continues is still clear. Once they can connect it with the earlier attempt to follower mirrors continuously without stopping the pulse, move on to another idea through the activity search or activity generator.