I’ve run a number of flamenco sessions for children with various special needs – working in particular over a number of years with one school where the students have a very wide range of physical and educational needs.

The sensory nature of flamenco tends to give all the kids something of value (the colour and movement of the costumes; the sound and feel of shoes, castanets and cajon; the tactile feel of the fabrics, shawls and fringing; the movement and feel of dance fans; the vibrations of the guitar music).

Each session takes on its own shape and dynamic depending on the children themselves with the more able learning movements and clapping rhythms, and others experiencing flamenco to the best of their abilities. Concentration spans vary and you need to be able to think on your feet to find ways of involving everyone – it is important to talk to teachers and carers to understand the capabilities of every child so that you can expand their experiences and allow each individual the space to participate in their own way. With some, for example, the ability to follow a movement with their eyes is a huge achievement.

The sessions are hugely rewarding for me. Students I have worked with before greet me like a friend and are fabulously honest – if they don’t like a particular costume or piece of music they will absolutely let me know, or if they don’t feel like joining in on a particular day they won’t, which is just as it should be. When they are having a good time, however, (and I have to say this is generally the case) the pleasure really glows through and a hard-won smile is the best of all!

Is anyone else running similar sessions?

Technorati Tags: flamenco, flamenco school, special needs,