Why should you consider expanding your practice and teach students with learning difficulties?
- Because its not as frightening as you think…
Research shows that even dance teachers with vast experience are apprehensive about teaching students that have learning disabilities. We assume that we do not have the skills to know how to approach the class or what to teach. Sometimes accommodations can be made to our regular classes, alternatively for some students an exclusive class might be more appropriate, but with a little thought and forward planning both our dance content and our teaching style can be adapted to suit the student’s needs.
- Because it is simply about understanding…
Teaching any student is about understanding what they can do and what they want to achieve, it is about knowing the person in front of you and adapting your teaching to suit. As teachers we do this anyway, but knowing a little about learning disabilities and strategies that help with certain needs or behaviours can make this easier for both us and a learning disabled student.
- Because the benefits are extensive...
Adults with learning disabilities that love to dance can achieve so much and will benefit hugely from learning and participating in classes, not just in physical terms, but also social, emotional and above all it will make them happy.... exactly what teachers wish to fulfil for all their students.
Additionally there are benefits for us as the teachers, this client group can be challenging, but also immensely rewarding.
- Because the opportunities are limited...
From my own inquiry I heard first hand how difficult it is to find dance teachers that are able to provide dance classes for this client group. This means that opportunities are limited for adults with learning disability to take meaning full classes, that get the best out of them and provide the benefits that dance can. Mainstream classes are often unwelcoming or not adapted and exclusive classes are difficult to come by.
This is a real shame, and a missed opportunity for the students and also for us teachers.
- Because there is a gap in the market...
Because teachers are apprehensive, the options are limited there is a real gap in the market. Confident teachers who want to take on a rewarding and challenging new teaching opportunity could fill this gap. This will greatly benefit both the learning disabled student by providing more opportunity to participate in dance and provide dance teachers with further work.
- Most Importantly...
Because everyone who wants to dance should have the opportunity to take valuable and meaningful classes, whatever their individual needs.