If you’ve never experienced any of our Unbeatable Energy workshops before, you may not have thought about the myriad ways African Drumming and Dance can improve children’s health, wellbeing, and potential to be successful.
Here are four good reasons a workshop can help create an environment that is successful in your classroom:
1. African Drumming and Dance brings cultural topics to life!
African dance schools workshops are a great activity to incorporate into Black History Month, an Africa subject or in the event of a Cultural Diversity Day.
It’s an exciting moment for students and teachers alike as they create that first rumble all together using African djembe hand drums. When each student plays their drums made by hand, they discover a whole world of history, tradition and culture. They do this not through passively reading or listening, but by active participation and actively playing. It is a way to learn about the traditions and the culture in West Africa. To quote a recent Headteacher at one of our schools “It’s the hands on activities like African drumming that kids keep in mind and will remember from topics of culture as they participate in the music , as opposed to simply being spectators.’
2. African Drumming and Dance boosts children’s confidence!
It happens frequently in workshops where a child who is struggling with literacy and maths, or who is shy and socially disengaged in class, completely transforms during a drumming session. It’s as if they’ve discovered something that “pulls” them emotionally and provides them with a sense of release.
African Dance is also a excellent way for children to strengthen their self-esteem. Dancers typically perform in front of the crowd, either on their own or by two or three other dancers. In our workshops, children are encouraged to dance with their peers in the space inside the drum circle. The part that they dance in is completely optional for students However, we do provide gentle encouragement, affirming that the experience will make them one feel great afterwards. After a few of the more confident students have given the experience a shot and we begin to observe several other kids all wanting to have an attempt. This is how some of the shy and quiet children delight everyone by engaging in the circle, and sharing their joy of the beat! The look of joy on the faces of children following the session speak to their pride in their achievement!
3. African Drumming and Dance gets children moving, which strengthens the brain!
African Drumming and Dance is an excellent way allow children to exercise and channel their energy. African Djembe drumming helps build strength and stamina in the upper part of the body, while dance enhances cardiovascular fitness. It is an all-over training for the body. Obviously this is great to improve children’s fitness and well-being, but research has shown that the exercise helps sharpen the mind; makes for happier children and improves their performance in other subjects like literacy and maths.
4. African Drumming and Dance improves listening abilities – not only in music!
It’s a common thing you’ll hear teachers use in lessons in music class”listen!”. It’s a great reason, too. Because good listening skills are essential. Like any other genre of music, studying African drumming is great for developing various listening abilities. For instance, the ability to focus your attention to an individual rhythm within a poly-rhythmic piece of music (multiple rhythms are played simultaneously) or to develop the listening skills required to be able to sense a rhythm when hearing against the rhythm of a steady pulse.
No matter what type of listening needed, there is a common personal characteristic that is essential for any budding musician – the ability to give oneself time to reflect and digest the things that have been heard. Professionally trained African drummers who are learning something new always allow themselves to listen prior to playing, as they know that their brains can make wrong assumptions of what they have heard, basing it on what they have learned. However, children can find it hard to resist playing immediately!
The good thing is that children not only enhance their musical listening through African Drumming, but can use the same skills to social situations, such as in conversations. When you allow yourself to listen to what people are talking about, you will stop one’s internal chatter from making assumptions. Take in what someone is being said and build a stronger feeling of connection – this is known as ‘active listening’ a great life skill for children to master in the early years!
If you’re a teacher who would love a day of African drumming and dance workshops for your students, or you are planning the possibility of having an Africa Topic or Black History event coming up and think we could assist We’d love hearing from you.
