This blog continues the series of finding new ways for keeping our children fit. Today we will learn about creating our own clogging board to use in your home and also, how to create your own tap/clogging shoes to use with this fun activity. For those of you not familiar with clogging, it is a folk dance in which the dancer makes rhythmic patterns by striking his toe, his heel, or both on a wooden floor. Clogging orignated in African-American dance, European dance, and even with the native American tribe, the Cherokee. It is great exercize and tons of fun!!
There are clogging classes available in nearly every part of the country. But, to get you started, here is a video which teaches the basics of this dance. Once you click on the link, you can link to specific techniques that you would like to learn. http://www.monkeysee.com/search?term=how+to+clog When I was a beginner clogger, the first pattern I learned was "shuffle-step (right foot), shuffle-step (left foot), shuffle-step (right foot), step (left foot), step (right foot). Then repeat again starting on the left foot." If you get the melody of the Lone Ranger in your head, this will really help.
To get set up for this activity, you first need two things: the proper shoes to create a rhythmic sound as you dance and a board to dance on. You can check out what inexpensive sheets are available at Home Depot or other building supply stores. It is important that you find something smooth and that your shoes will slide over it's surface. Some suggestions I would make are very thin sheets of hardboard or fiberboard (used for wall paneling). If you want something more authentic, you can go with a thicker sheet of wood and even elevate it up on blocks or bricks to get a really cool sound. When using the thin sheets, you can just place the sheet right on the floor, even on carpet. This is a great solution for those who may not have space in their home for a mini-dance studio, anywhere will work!
When finding the right shoes, you can definitely use tap shoes if you have some. If not, I use a simple pair of flat boots with hard soles to dance in; just make sure that they can slide about and will not stick to board, (not rubber soled shoes). Another thing you can use is any flat shoe or boot, then attaching a washer to the bottom of each shoe (using an elastic strap to attach), thus creating the cool sound as you dance. Here is a link to a website giving directions to making these shoes: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/terrific-tap-shoes-672503/
Now that you have your clogging board and shoes, you are ready to dance!! Here is a link to some traditional cloggers dancing. It is really a great dance, and did you know? It is the state dance of both North Carolina and Kentucky!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yKno6YYfek&NR=/traditional You may want to put on a CD of bluegrass music for your first try of clogging. But any kind of music is great. Let your child try out different kinds of rhythms with different kinds of music.
If you are working with that especially fearless dancer, then you may want to try a more aggressive approach. A few years ago, there was a clogging group performing on America's Got Talent. They were totally awesome! Here is an amazing video of their performance to inspire your child to get up and moving. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpjXY8WKmQA The most important thing is for your child to explore creating rhythms in a new way. He or she may even want to try using their clogging moves to a popular hip hop song.
So, go out to your local hardware store and get equipped for introducing clogging to that young dancer in your family. I have used this activity for assemblies with all ages of kids, preschool through tweens, and it is always a hit. It is something which will entertain your child while providing him a great cardio workout at the same time. See you again soon for more ways to keep your child fit!!
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