Talent show dilemma

[GrabbyGabby]

So, my 7 y.o. Has put herself up for the talent show on friday. She said she would play the recorder (which she cant play and she wont work with me to learn a simple tune), she now says she wants to dance (she is a v enthusiastic free style dancer, but no dance training).

There is some SEN in the mix, ADHD and v likely some degree of autism. Recently seems like other kids have been noticing her differences and her peer relationships are not always easy. The kids are just getting to the age where theu can be a bit mean and she is just getting to the point of noticing.

I dont know how to play this. Do i encourage her to get up there and dance her heart out, or do i try and coax her into doing something a bit less ambitious and exposing?

Find a dance on YouTube and let her at it. There will be plenty of them who will be very enthusiastic. If she copies a dance roughly it will be easier. Save everyone's ears ditch the recorder nobody can play that thing nicely

Either do as pp suggested or encourage her to sing a song - something simple and short

Plenty of kids can play the recorder musically if taught properly but five days is quite ambitious. A dance sounds like it suits her personality. Hope she enjoys the experience of performing.

How about reciting a poem or singing a simple song, is there a teacher to accompany? There's plenty of free to download scores (we won't discuss legality but needs must)

She seems to have her mind set on dancing. She wont learn a routine. It will be freestyle. She dances from her heart and with total abandon. Just not sure it is the stuff of talent contests.

Has she got a friend she could dance with?

There will be alot of kids with quickly improvised talents. As long as the organisers are promoting having fun rather than it being a real competition it will be fun for all!

At 7 she'll be fine (I teach this year group) if she wants to do it, then let her. I'm sure that the level of 'talent' won't be particularly high and she'll have fun.

Choose a song and let her free-style to it. Maybe a fun outfit and a coloured scarf to wave around, she'll be great!

My daughter (on th spectrum) used to (and still does) dance with total beautiful abandon. I have videos of her dancing to buskers on the high street where crowds of people have been clapping.
It brings joy.
Let your amazing DD do her thing. It gets hard later. Now is the ideal time to do this.

Yep, spoke to the TA yesterday. Going to pick some music and let her dance her little heart out. Feels like the right choice.

If you pick music that the class is likely to enjoy I would imagine it will go down well.