Marshmallows, Oranges and a Croc

Dancing online has come with its fair share of challenges but I have actually found it really fun. Here is me sat with all of the props I have used for my 5-year old dancers right through to my adults. So let me take you on a whistle-stop tour of what I use each prop for…

First of all, I know you are probably most intrigued by the marshmallows! By squeezing the marshmallows, I can demonstrate how the knees must slowly bend in a demi plié and take a slow, not a quick, recovery back to their original standing position. Another food object I use are oranges. I use oranges to show how the bottom should squeeze together to maintain good posture throughout classical ballet. My last food item (this one is pretend!) is the strawberry. The strawberry sponge sits in between my thighs as I ask the students to visualise the tops of their legs squeezing the sponge tightly.

The blue and red feet help me to show foot positions up close on the camera. The scarfs can be used for lots of things but my favourite is to show students how the scarfs look when you move your arms gently as apposed to moving them sharply. The magic wand is to help little dancers feet to stretch really hard and the bowl hat is for our dressing up dance. The ribbon helps to show impetus in arm movement whilst the ball is used to show how to position the arms in 1st. That leaves me with the tambourine, playing cards and a giant croc. Well the tambourine is louder than a clap so can be heard better online when I demonstrate the rhythm of the music. The playing cards are not a full set and only include diamonds, hearts and kings. Upon showing a diamond I ask dancers to show me a demi plié in 1st, a heart students draw a heart with their fingers whilst standing tall and for a king the students make a crown for their head and hold a demi plié in first. Last but not least the crocodile. He is just their to nibble on naughty toes!