Teddy Bears' Ball
This dance is for very young children. Each verse of this song focusses on a particular way of dancing: a march, a waltz, a tango, and skipping - so the musical emphasis is on different pulse groups and patterns. The children form a circle, and walk round while they sing the chorus. Encourage the children to step together, using two steps to each bar. During the verses, drop hands but do not move too far away from the circle formation. Use a relevant dance step for each verse. Verse 1, march round. Verse 2, waltz round. Verse 3, tango round. Verse 4, skip round. After each verse, reform the circle using the pause notes to make sure that everyone is ready. Use the precise dance steps, or simply encourage children to feel the different rhythmic features and make up their own steps.
From Singing and Dancing Games, Scholastic Publications, 1987.
