Let's All Boogie: Dance and Disabled Children

by Melanie Peter, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood, Anglia Polytechnic University

There would seem no getting away from the fact that many children with disabilities would appear to be seriously disadvantaged in terms of their potential to dance. It can be all too easy to see limitations, when faced with a child in a wheelchair, or a child who has involuntary movement, lack of co-ordination, difficulties in organising their behaviour, weak muscle tone…. and so on. So what's in it for them to do dance? For one thing, even a severely disabled child one day may be a talented choreographer or dance critic, even if their actual performance skills may be limited.

This need not restrict their active participation, however - far from it. Children of all abilities may gradually learn the physical and technical skills for dance, whilst at the same time learning how these may be ordered to give particular significance and meaning to a series of actions. CBeebies programme 'Boogie Beebies' takes an inclusive approach to encouraging all children to join in the fun. It is based on the premise that no one need 'sit out', even if they may sometimes need a little help to take part.

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