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Subscribe to RSSIn a program called Dancing Classrooms, kids not only learn how to dance, they also learn how to respect one another. NBC's Anne Thompson reports.
Reporter's notebook by Anne Thompson, NBC News
In a world where social graces are increasingly an endangered species, one man is trying to instill civility and respect in children by teaching them ballroom dancing.
Pierre Dulaine's theory about the importance of the foxtrot, rhumba and tango is very simple.
"Sitting next to each other doesn't get you to know another person in the classroom," said Dulaine. "But having danced with one another somehow is a different thing. And I think this is a success of Dancing Classrooms."
Dulaine, a champion ballroom dancer and former cast member of Broadway's "Grand Hotel," started Dancing Classrooms 18 years ago in one New York City public school. It is now in 600 schools around the world including Israel, Germany and Switzerland.
In New York City, ballroom dancing is taught to 5th graders in some 200 public schools twice a week. "Nightly News" went to Brooklyn's P.S. 160 to see the 16-week program for ourselves.
You can't help but smile when you watch the children. The girls are often taller than the boys. Boys and girls are still uncomfortable having to stand close to each other, clasp hands and hold each other. They have to look each other in the eye, and it is not always easy.
The teacher will call out, "What color is your partner's eyes?" Everyone must answer. More than a few wipe off sweaty hands on their clothes. The awkwardness is absolutely charming.
These are not the dancing classes of the past. No white gloves, navy blue blazers and dresses.
Many of the students wear sweatpants and sneakers, although a few of the girls favor sparkly shoes. But what is the same is the discovery of the joy of dancing, how much fun it is to glide across the floor in perfect rhythm with another person.
The students have fun being elegant and polite. The young men smile as they escort the young ladies into the classroom. "Thank you," is said each time they change partners. It is a wonderful 50 minute class.
Principal Margaret Russo brought Dancing Classrooms to P.S.160 when she arrived eight years ago. Russo told "Nightly News" that her school, where 62 percent of the students are enrolled in English as a Second Language classes, dancing helps breakdown cultural barriers. It gets children who may not interact with each other to know each other at least for one dance. That, she said, improves the entire school.
"On that dance floor we're all the same so we're one community and I think that's really important," Russo said.
Ballroom dancing really is a gift. Your posture improves, your confidence improves and awkwardness is replaced with physical grace. Dulaine says it transformed him from a shy 14-year-old to a confident young man. It is a skill that stays with you your whole life and always makes you want to get out on the dance floor.
"One of our teaching artists tell us that we are teaching children life lessons wrapped around ballroom dancing," Dulaine said. "And I think that puts the nail on the head."
Jean-Marie Kennedy, a teacher at the Walter Francis Bishop elementary school in New York on the poise, confidence and good manners gained through ballroom dancing.
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They should not be teaching the Latino dances.
They are too sexual and ghetto.
Teach the classic dances, and leave the Latino dances to the feral adults who want to dance this crap.
Dirty minds see dirty things, mtr. These are children. And I'll bet that you don't dance at all. Spoilsport.
hxxp://cdn.mediatakeout.com/35520/shocking-video-child-abuse-caught-on-tape-hispanic-children-forced-to-dance-very-inappropriately-with-each-other-warning-video-is-very-disturbing.html
So disgusting and so Latino.
And you don't get much dirtier than Latino men mnds and young girls.
And the mothers, dressing them up as little prostitutes-- like they do at Carnival in Brazil.
Here's just one, of a million Latino videos of sex-obsessed Latinos teaching their kids to dance their slutty dances:
See the video of little Latinos humping each other and their moms.
Go to YouTube and search for Latino Humping and you'll see how subhuman and sex-obsessed these "humans" are....
My cat is less feral.
Wow - seriously MTR. When you search YouTube as you do with your choice of topics - you'll always find the whacked out bottom of the barrel. Key is teaching - instruction - character.
Obviously you may want to search yourself as to why you handle YouTube as you do i.e. you are known by the company you keep..... Mom had a saying - when you swim with the bottom fish - all you get/eat is garbage. Swim to the top - air is cleaner - water is clearer - healthy fish.
My mother taught me how to waltz and it was incredible. Holding the hand of the prettiest girl in school and dancing around the room at the age of 12 was amazing.
America has become Sodom and Gomorrah. There is no way America can be changed.
What the...? Your intolerance and ignorance is simply appalling. These kids are not involved in sexual practices whatsoever! They're DANCING! GET IT PEABRAIN?! D-A-N-C-I-N-G! DANCING!
It's the same thing that DWTS does, but its not competitive, not as mainstream media-abused and it helps bring us closer together as a whole. I bet you sat out during your high school prom.
On topic, what I'd LOVE to have had the gift of what these kids are getting now. I never knew how to dance, or how to look another in the eye.
CrimsonCujo,
America is a sexually based society, dancing will not change the whole American culture and belief. There is so much aggression and sexually dysfunctional behavoirs in our society that our children are exposed to that it is impossible for these kids to learn the true meaning of dancing.
At the beginning of your sentence, what the ..? is a good example of your sexually based behavior towards people you disagree with. Our society is sick and there is no cure for it and you are a product of this dysfunctional society, whether you like it or not.
Stand - relax man .... blaze one buddy .... sex has always been part of human desire ... we tried to control it and made it sinful .... i figure learning good things (social graces, dancing, cooking) can't hurt ... and maybe help some have a more enriching life...start to live a little buddy and not look so down and pessimistic
I find it better to dance in a super crowded dance floor so all I have to do is wiggle around a little ....
I like the story and the logic. Down south though, this will never fly. Southern Baptists and evangelicals call all dancing, "Fcuking afoot". Totally frown on all others doing such. They would simply swoon, should anyone of 'em catch sight of kids doing such a thing.
Would you consider Dallas to be Southern? I would! And while living there my daughter attended cotillion in 7th and 8th grades, and I think it was a terrific thing for her. Note: as a former Yankee (if there is such a thing), I nearly had a fit about my daughter doing something that sounded like it just came off the plantation. However, I learned! And believe me, there are lots of Southern Baptists and evangelicals in Dallas! It was a great experience for my daughter.
@ Kirigami: Know all about "cotillions" Ma'am/Sir. Attended one myself When I was 12 years old. Within 3 minutes I was ordered off the floor. Said I was stepping on the girls feet, and wasn't keeping my hands to myself. A Cotillion is an exclusive event of certain social and geographical order. Generally a tad snobbish. The article references Teachers teaching kids to dance for the joy of the art, and to get to comfortably know each other. Much different from what you reference. I stand by my statement. Happy your Daughter enjoyed it though. Regards
@ Mac....we were Presbyterians - Dad was an Elder in the church - I danced with my darling father at my wedding - a waltz - first dance. It was magic. He was dead two months later from an undiagnosed brain tumor - same as Gary Carter.
We spent time in Texas - attended a lovely wedding - Southern Baptists. Wonderful couple - no dancing. Was like a party with no cake - hats - or gifts. Like a hard climb halfway up a hill and you never see the view! Oh my heart was sad for all of them.
There are many biblical references to dancing - both pro and con. There are many christian religions here in our country - Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Baptist, Southern Baptist, Four Square, Adventists, etc. etc. - all state they are the only way through those pearly gates - every single on of those religions pick and choose what they want from the bible and apply to their thinking/rules and then point to 'their' way as the only way.
As for me and mine - my darling husband of 37 years now - seriously-respectfully - I'll take my chances as I stand at HIS foot and with eyes closed and a peaceful smile on my face, I shall share that joy I felt while dancing with my father and my wedding. It was almost the top of that hill - Oh the view was grand!!!
Mac, I am Southern Baptist and I have danced all my life. I love it and it makes me feel happy, not to mention, it is good exercise. I never thought of it as sexual in a bad way. If this was the reason for dancing we would'nt have such a hard time getting men out on the dance floor. I'm 79 and hope I can dance until I'm 98.
Good for you Arm! Keep dancing - my solid and prayerful hope is that you are still out there when you are 100!!!
Folks: I did not mean I am against dancing. I used to be pretty good myself. I continue though, to contend, Southern Baptists would never hold still for that art to be taught to young children in school. Evangelicials are just as adamant. They will sanction adults and children, under their supervision, certain slight contact dances, such as "Texas swing" clogging, or here and there, country square dancing, and ballet. Go beyond that and you are committing what I said in post #6. They don't cotton to it atall! Personally, I think it's a beautiful "art form".
Very nice story.
Here's your "What the eff":
Do a Google search for the link below and you'll see how disgusting they can be.
Little Latinos humping each other:
hxxp://cdn.mediatakeout.com/35520/shocking-video-child-abuse-caught-on-tape-hispanic-children-forced-to-dance-very-inappropriately-with-each-other-warning-video-is-very-disturbing.html
I usually don't respond to xenophobia because it is an irrational fear and, as such, people who suffer from this illness rarely respond to reason and intelligent discourse. They only continue to squawk their unanalyzed and closed-minded view, but for this I could not resist.
Waltz was once considered a rsique and unacceptable dance. Your reaction to such dances as the salsa, merengue, rumba, and tango is the very same one that people once had about the "classic dances" you mention."
Luckily, ignorance usually loses and culture continues to develop as inspired new contributions are made. Just like the waltz, latino dances have become part of our world's culture. That makes me proud and as a teacher more than enthused to share the beauty of these dances!
The 6 dances taught in the program are all official ballroom social dance dances taught and danced in a very dignified, respectful and elegant manner with specific order, sequence and purpose. These dances have been danced for the last century in both formal and informal ballroom settings.
From the educationally point of view, I find this curriculum to be one of the most inclusive, well-rounded, developmentally and academically well-rounded I have seen. As one classroom teacher commented; "I finally feel like I am teaching the whole child!" I personally have witnessed students lives transformed as they find confidence, self-esteem and a new desire to be in school as a direct result of being involved with this program.
Do take time to visit a school and see an event and you too will see the impact of dance in breaking down cultural barriers and truly connecting us all.
Please consider using your elegant language on these posts so that our students viewing this video will be honored for their effort.
Dr. W Guess, DancingAwayStress.com