Harper adores music. And it is one of my favorite things to watch her completely immerse herself in the rhythms of the tunes. She throws her arms up in the air, spins around, and often lets out shouts of joy. Sometimes she has a fierce side-eye that makes her look like she is concentrating to get the steps rights. She dances as she lives to her own beat, her own schedule.
Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind, & Fire brought movement, smiles, and laughter into our kitchen on a warm fall morning. An impromptu dance party broke out after breakfast before we needed to scurry along and drop the kids off at preschool.
A love of dance
I’ve danced since I was a young girl, it’s something I’ve always enjoyed. And I still get to tap dance weekly with some fabulous ladies, which is often the highlight of my week. I think we all need a fun activity in our lives as adults, but that is a lesson for another time.
When we found out we were having a girl, I immediately envisioned a little dancer (not that boys can’t dance – in fact, my son is way more into our tiny tap shoes). I would definitely be getting her into dance classes as early as possible. And then we got a Down syndrome diagnosis. Which turned all my plans and dreams upside down. I quickly realized that Harper wouldn’t quite be ready for a traditional dance class as a typical peer might in those early years.
A slower pace
We venture at a slower pace. And there are so many beautiful perks. Let me tell you having a child not walk till they are two makes working at home really easy. And the appreciation and celebration of meeting a milestone are so much sweeter. But there is a lot of waiting.
And sometimes it feels as though change will never occur. Even though I already have a nice track record of Harper’s development, I still get antsy in the waiting. So although Harper loves music and dancing around, the idea of her in a structured class just didn’t make sense.
A kitchen duet
But then one morning as you are boogying in the kitchen with your toddler you recognize that she is copying your dance moves. And then she does it again. And again. By the end of the song, we have a three dance move duet that brightens my day.
I was so excited to see her ability to mimic dance moves. Her little arms circling around. Hands on her hips with a little shake. And a spirited clap. My mind was blown watching her copy these simple dance moves over and over.
Joy through dance
She is still not quite ready for a dance class. She’s only three years old after all. And as I keep learning from my daughter, there is no need to rush. But to see these skills emerge is so encouraging, beautiful, and exciting. And I know that whether she takes a dance class or not, she will still bring joy through her dancing for years to come.
