Jenka
A fun dance that is easy to learn.
- 6+ years
- Group size: 4+
- Duration: 15 min
- Dance
- Mountains, forests and fields
- Gym / Sports hall
- Indoor
- Open space
- Music
Participants stand in a line one behind the other, with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front. The steps danced are Jenka steps and hop steps.
Explanation
- Take two heel steps with the left foot (left foot diagonally out, simultaneously a small hop on the right foot) (1–4)
- Then take two heel steps with the right foot (5–8).
- Make one jump forward with feet together and one jump backward (1–4).
- Make three jumps forward (5–7), and pause on eight (8).
Repeat the dance.
Participants hold each other by the shoulders and dance Jenka in serpentine lines, half-circles, or circles. Feel free to divide into smaller lines. The children take turns leading the dance. You can also dance from room to room.
Progression
Jenka can be taught by having the children stand freely in the room and imitate the adult, or by having everyone stand in a line along the long wall. The adult stands a little in front and dances, the children imitate. When everyone masters the dance steps, they switch to dancing in a line.