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About the session...
Mini Sensory Movers is a fun, relaxed movement club where the children explore different types of music and props such as ribbons, shakey eggs and of course the parachute!
Mini Sensory Movers is a safe space where dancers can unapologetically be themselves without judgment!
The playlist and props stay the same for each half-term’s theme and each song has an accompanying prop. Expect high energy, lots of noise (we do have ear defenders in the classes), a chance for the dancers (and parents/carers) to make friends and a whole heap of fun!
This club is aimed at those with a higher level of support needs and is fantastic for sensory seekers!
Although the session is structured it is purposefully relaxed in a way that the dancers can choose not to copy the routines and can follow their own instincts to activate their senses, explore, move and grow!
- Parent of Current Performer
Thanks for all your help with [my child]. Its lovely to take him to something where he can just be himself!
What makes this class accessible?
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Visual Timetable to support transitions
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Visuals used to support communication and themes/topics
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Makaton to support communication and processing of instructions
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Sensory bag is available to support self-regulation
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Ear defenders available for dancers to borrow
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Class capped at 10 dancers to reduce the overwhelm
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Higher ratio of volunteers in the class to provide 1:1 support/engagement where possible
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No pressure to follow or learn routines – just follow along when they’re ready
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All stimming is welcomed and accepted
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Singing is used intermittently to add transitions in the session
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Use of different sensory props and costumes to help bring themes to life and engage/regulate the senses in different ways
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Lots of tapping, brushing and squeezing in the dance moves to help stimulate and regulate the proprioceptive sense.
What to expect in a typical Mini Sensory Movers Session?
Free-flow Prop Exploration
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This time allows the dancers to enter the room and explore in the way they need to in that moment
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A lot of our dancers run around, or stim in this time as we settle into the space
Hello Song
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An opportunity for everyone to feel welcome, seen and important
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Signals the class has begun
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Introduces our theme
Warm-up
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Lots of tapping, brushing and squeezing to really ‘wake up’ our bodies and help our dancers feel where their bodies are in space
Sensory Dances
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Main bulk of the session is filled with different dances
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Each dance has a different sensory prop such as shakey eggs, coloured scarves, parachute, light up gloves, costumes etc
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We have a short break to have a quick drink in the middle
Special Activity
Cool Down
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A calming down dance sat down
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We use a water mist at the beginning to signify being ‘cool’
Goodbye Song
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Signals the end of the session
