www.ceilidhkids.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at CeilidhKids classes?
Lots of fun and participation! CeilidhKids is for families so everyone gets involved. You and your child dance, clap, and march together with the music and learn a few very simple (often simplified) dances and figures that you might meet at a ceilidh or Scottish Country dance. We dance to CD recordings of top bands and the emphasis is on fun and staying within your child’s comfort zone. The 3-5 year olds don’t even have to let go of your hand if they don’t want to!
Lots of fun and participation! CeilidhKids is for families so everyone gets involved. You and your child dance, clap, and march together with the music and learn a few very simple (often simplified) dances and figures that you might meet at a ceilidh or Scottish Country dance. We dance to CD recordings of top bands and the emphasis is on fun and staying within your child’s comfort zone. The 3-
What will my child learn?
Rhythm and movement to music, and improved confidence, attention and listening skills. Also an awareness of him or herself in relation to others and to the available space, as well as the social aspect of dancing with a partner and with friends. We do a lot of counting at CeilidhKids (generally to eight) and introduce the concepts of ‘right’ and ‘left’ in conjunction with the very beginnings of dance steps and simple movements and formations. But above all it’s about FUN for adults and children alike.
Rhythm and movement to music, and improved confidence, attention and listening skills. Also an awareness of him or herself in relation to others and to the available space, as well as the social aspect of dancing with a partner and with friends. We do a lot of counting at CeilidhKids (generally to eight) and introduce the concepts of ‘right’ and ‘left’ in conjunction with the very beginnings of dance steps and simple movements and formations. But above all it’s about FUN for adults and children alike.
What do we wear?
Anything you like! School uniform, fancy dress, kilts, party dresses and tracksuits are all popular. Soft shoes are useful though - plimsolls are great and ballet shoes even better.
Anything you like! School uniform, fancy dress, kilts, party dresses and tracksuits are all popular. Soft shoes are useful though -
Why so much adult participation?
Ceilidh dances have traditionally been passed down through families, with the older generation teaching the younger. More practically, though, the instructions can be tricky for smaller children to follow and a guiding adult hand makes all the difference between carefree participation and bewilderment... So CeilidhKids is not a ‘drop off’ facility. It’s for everyone.
Ceilidh dances have traditionally been passed down through families, with the older generation teaching the younger. More practically, though, the instructions can be tricky for smaller children to follow and a guiding adult hand makes all the difference between carefree participation and bewilderment... So CeilidhKids is not a ‘drop off’ facility. It’s for everyone.
CeilidhKids classes aren’t appropriate for my child, who is busy during class times / lives too far away / has already outgrown CeilidhKids...
Don’t worry. Phone me or send an email to ceilidhkids@ceilidhkids.com and I can give you details of other children’s Scottish dancing classes in the Edinburgh area. There’s plenty going on so hopefully there’ll be something suitable! (Naturally I’m devastated not to be meeting you and your child myself though...)
Don’t worry. Phone me or send an email to ceilidhkids@ceilidhkids.com and I can give you details of other children’s Scottish dancing classes in the Edinburgh area. There’s plenty going on so hopefully there’ll be something suitable! (Naturally I’m devastated not to be meeting you and your child myself though...)
I’d like to host a CeilidhKids event - what do I do?
Find a suitable venue in the Edinburgh area and a roughly equal number of adults and children who want to dance. Then get in touch to arrange a mutually convenient date and time! CeilidhKids can arrange music and dancing to suit your requirements. A small party to recorded music, or a visit to your nursery, school or youth group can be arranged at a few weeks’ notice. However if you’re looking to run a larger ceilidh to live music please give me several months’ notice as the best musicians get booked up months or even years in advance! I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Find a suitable venue in the Edinburgh area and a roughly equal number of adults and children who want to dance. Then get in touch to arrange a mutually convenient date and time! CeilidhKids can arrange music and dancing to suit your requirements. A small party to recorded music, or a visit to your nursery, school or youth group can be arranged at a few weeks’ notice. However if you’re looking to run a larger ceilidh to live music please give me several months’ notice as the best musicians get booked up months or even years in advance! I’m looking forward to hearing from you.