Dance is a physical activity involving contact with other dancers, especially when performing partner/group work and learning pas de deux. In order to safely teach dance to young dancers, appropriate physical contact between teacher/participant and participant/participant will occur to help demonstrate correct placement, show the correct placement of the hands for lifting, help a participant to feel a correct position of a limb to avoid injury if a move is incorrectly performed and to give support or stop a participant from falling.
We recognise that touch, whilst essential, can sometimes be misinterpreted and the below guidelines are in place to safeguard staff and participants.
- All participant handbooks will include this statement, so that children and guardians are aware of our guidelines
- Teachers will initially use description and imagery to help participants feel a movement and use touch to help with correction only if the imagery isn’t helping
- Touch will be accompanied by verbal instruction and will never be a surprise to the participant
- When using touch to correct a participant’s placement, teachers will use a finger/s or palm of hand and may touch their rib cage, thigh, back, buttock, arm, hand, foot
- When using touch to help someone who is at risk of falling/injury teachers will touch with their hands
- When a teacher is using touch, they will do this with knowledge of that individual participant’s needs
- If a participant feels uncomfortable regarding appropriate touch, we encourage them to talk with their teacher
- If a participant feels any touch is inappropriate, we encourage them to speak with a DSL or DSO
We recognise that when working with particularly young, or disabled children, they may be more tactile as a means of communication. For example, they may offer hugs to teachers/staff as a welcome or for emotional security. Teachers and staff will not encourage or initiate this, but will not pull away from this type of contact to avoid upsetting or discouraging the child. Teachers and staff will ensure any contact is appropriate in terms of hand/body placement, and for an appropriate length of time.