Quite a few millions of people are watching `Strictly Come
Dancing’ year. It seems that the popularity of the series continues to grow. One
of the dances that appears to grip the imagination of the judges and the
watching public is the Salsa.
The word salsa means to `spice it up’. The dance incorporates many different styles –
from cha cha cha to the rumba and the mambo. Salsa music generally has a rhythm of four
beats to the bar – but the dancers use three steps per bar. A `quick’ is one
beat while the `slow’ has two beats. The percussion instruments of bongos and
maracas give salsa music its rhythm.
The next time you and your partner sit down with your child
to work through elements of an eleven plus paper think of your child listening
to the two of you working together.
In one of the steps in Salsa, the backward step, the man
steps back on the left foot, leaving the right foot in place. (Count - quick)
The woman moves back on the right foot leaving the left foot
in place. (Count – quick)
The man transfers his body weight forward onto the right
foot. (Count – quick)
The woman transfers her weight onto the left foot. (Count –
quick)
The man closes his left foot to the right foot. (Count - slow)
The woman closes the right foot to the left foot. (Count –
slow)
Now ask your eleven plus candidate to read these instructions
aloud while you and your partner execute these steps – and try to follow the learning
sequence. If you understand what is expected of you the first time you are both
worthy eleven plus parents. If there is a hesitation and a little frustration
then try to imagine your child’s feelings as he or she meets a new eleven plus
concept.
If the two of you start arguing over who goes forward and
who goes back– and your child watches with joy and pleasure – then you know you
really are proper eleven plus parents!
