Working with schools to introduce dance to students
We recently spoke with Bob Williamson who wanted to share an idea he came up with after listening to an interview on a CBC afternoon segment called ‘Up to Speed’ hosted by Faith Fundal.
Faith was interviewing Dr. Stewart, a psychologist from Toronto whose conversation focused on the increase of domestic violence calls happening across Canada.
Bob found the conversation riveting as he heard the words he had “been waiting to hear from someone whose expertise on the subject is at a very high level.”
“Students in schools need to be taught how to be respectful, thoughtful and considerate to each other.”
In a lightbulb moment, Bob knew, “This is so true and it needs to be done daily in the classroom. Dancing will greatly facilitate that.”
Bob went on to share, “I have always taught manners through dance. It has always been my belief that when a young man enters school in kindergarten, he needs to be taught how to say please and thank-you to every lady he meets in this world. This is a very necessary life skill for many reasons. In society today we are hearing daily of violence against women and girls. I believe strongly that if the young men address the girls in their classrooms, their mothers, sisters and all the ladies of their world with respect, courtesy and consideration for their 12 years in school, this will help.”
Bob went on to say, “Dancing is a life skill that provides exercise, social activity and is great fun. Students can learn how to say please and thank you every day in their classrooms and it will only take 1 minute a day to do this. Dancing gives students two very important skills to put in their ‘life toolbox’, manners and a lifelong activity they can use well into their 90’s.”
We were able to speak with a former student, we will call him Kevin, who had been taught to dance by his teacher Bob Williamson, when he was just a young pup in Belmont School fourty some years ago.
“I remember when we started learning to dance; I don’t think I was really that interested to begin with, I didn’t know what I was doing. Honestly, it was a really good thing for me! It didn’t take long to catch on and it really built my confidence. When I went to socials and weddings, I was up there dancing and having a great time.”
Bob realizes the many positive spin offs that happen when children learn a new skill, especially dance, and wants to share dance with as many students in as many schools as possible.
Bob is reaching out to area schools to share his idea on how to help alleviate a growing negative issue in our social fabric, and work with schools to introduce dance to students of all ages.
His idea for this pilot project is to “find a school to start doing this (dance lessons) on a daily basis for one month. One class or grade of the whole school is fine.” He proposes that he, “would then contact CBC and get them to come out and do a feature on the school and the students.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Educator Bob Williamson. PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK
