Maypole dances for care homes

[watervole]

I was working at another care home this afternoon, trying to devise maypole dances for two little girls age 2 and 4 and a group of frail people in wheelchairs. 

I got the staff to do some of the usual maypole dances, but here's one I invented on the spot.


The 'Hello' dance.

 

Take 3 to 6 people in wheelchairs and a few small children.

 

Space wheelchairs around the pole facing out and give each person a ribbon to hold fairly tightly.

 

Let small children dance around the ribbon holders in any way they like (not necessarily holding a ribbon themselves - actually works better without).  They can skip and dance anywhere, the only rule is that they have to say 'hello' or wave every time they pass in front of someone.

 

This was surprisingly popular -  It allows very small children to interact with very frail old ladies.