Dance around the world – Tinikling
Improve the campers’ agility with this fun folk dance!
| Target: | Counselors |
| Time frame: | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Type of tool: | Activities |
| Ages: | 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-12 years |
| Group size: | One group, More than one group, Whole camp |
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Physical activity
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Description
Are you looking for a fun way to get your kids moving? Do they enjoy dancing, and would you like them to discover a traditional dance from around the world? This activity is for you.
Tinikling is a folk dance that originated on the island of Leyte in the Philippines. Watch the presentation video to better understand how to lead the activity.
For this dance, you will need 2 bamboo poles measuring at least 2 meters (or 2 PVC pipes or a large closed elastic band) and 2 wooden boards to place at each end so that no one gets their fingers caught. These poles are used to hit the ground and create a rhythm. Introduce the activity by explaining what Tinikling is. Explain to your group that this dance requires two roles : the tappers and the dancer. Tappers tap and slide the poles on the ground while dancers step over and in between the poles.
To begin, find a flat surface with enough space to move around. Print the illustrations of the movements so that you and the campers can refer to them as needed (see pdf). Ask the kids to stand up and space themselves out. Before making teams, do a warmup to prepare the campers’ bodies to move. Then, demonstrate the starting position (see pdf).
For the younger ones, start by demonstrating the six basic movements and ensure they understand them. Tinikling follows a three-beat rhythm, ask the campers to count while they perform the movements; this will help them stay on rhythm and be synchronized.
For the older ones, make teams of 3 (one dancer, two tappers) give each team the illustrations of the movements. The dancer learns a movement and then becomes a tapper, a tapper then becomes a dancer and so on. Take turns having each child choose a movement to teach the others, who must then imitate it.
Special thanks to the Philippine Folkloric Dance Compagny of Montreal and Jill Otter, Bhangra artist and teacher from Quebec City for proofreading the content of these documents.
Special thanks to the Sainte-Geneviève Day Camp, the Claude-Allard Day Camp, the La Clémentine Day Camp and the Chicoutimi Day Camp for testing and approving this activity!
But(s)
This activity uses a progressive and playful approach to encourage children to move at varying intensities while practicing their basic motor skills at their own pace. It allows each child to express themselves through their movements and to demonstrate creativity in creating choreography or new movements. It also provides an opportunity to explore another culture through traditional folk dance.
Tips and Tricks
Give each camper a progress tracking table so they can check the box when they successfully execute a movement.
Play traditional music to set up a joyful ambience (see pdf).
Continue the learning of dances around the world with Gumboot and Bhangra.
Required material
- 2 wooden boards (2 in. x 4 in.) measuring about two feet (60 cm) in length per team
- 2 bamboo poles or 2 PVC pipes or a large closed elastic band (2 m to 6 m) per team
Optional:
- Radio/speakers, music,
- Illustrations of the movements (to print),
- Progress tracking table (to print)
Let’s have a chat!
Take time to talk about local food with your kids before, during, and after the activity. In the pdf, you will learn more about Tinikling and its history, discuss it with your group!
- Which country does Tinikling come from?
- Which animal does Tinikling imitate?
- What was the most difficult movement for you? Why? (coordination, jumping, etc.)
- What was your level of breathlessness while dancing Tinikling? (Moderate to high intensity)
Variant(s)
Have the six basic movements been mastered by your group? Here are some ideas to challenge the campers!
- Ask them to create a routine and present it to the other teams.
- Teach another group what you’ve learned.
- Use your creativity to invent your own movement.
- Place several poles side by side and ask your campers to cross over them one by one.
- Add more than one dancer between the poles.
