Waltzing is a complex large rhythmic motor skill that can be done in place or moving forward, backward, or in circles across the floor. It is an important skill to master as the elements make up parts of the more advanced schottische motor skill.

The whole series of 16 large rhythmic motor skills beginning with the easiest to most complex includes: walking, running, marching, galloping, sliding, hopping, jumping, leaping, pedaling, prancing, toe pointing, skipping, waltzing, minuet, schottische, polka.

For kids that have learning disabilities that make balance difficult, assist by holding one of their hands while they practice.

Waltz Technique

Waltzing is most easily learned moving in a forward direction. Look at the illustration.

Begin with feet parallel. Legs change role of supporting leg and working leg alternately. The supporting leg balances the weight of the body while the moving leg, the working leg, moves.

The 3 part sequence is like walking steps. One foot steps forward and bends at the knee, and the next two steps are regular walking steps, without a deliberate bend at the knee. See illustration.

The rhythm goes like this:
1, 2, 3, /1, 2, 3, / 1, 2, 3, / and continuing ...

Keep arms to the sides for balance.

Waltzing Kinesthetic Lesson

Have students go to a back corner of the room. They will be moving with partners across the room on the diagonal to the opposite front corner. Students hold the hand of their partner that is on the side closest to their partner. An idea is to pair up a stronger with a weaker child to get the weaker student moving along in the rhythm. As in all rhythmic motor skills it is important to master the rhythm before the physical coordination, (which will come with practice).

The 1st pair do 4 sets of waltz step, then the 2nd pair begin. This gives the teacher time to see if there are any problems and keeps kids from crashing into each other.

After all have waltzed to the opposite front corner, have students reassemble at other back corner and waltz in the same pattern to opposite front corner.

The benefit of learning the waltzing rhythmic motor skill is the coordination needs both right and left hemispheres of brain to work together, so the connections between are strengthened. Waltzing elements are part of the more advanced schottische rhythmic motor skill.

For more practice

All 16 basic rhythmic motor skills and dances for practice are in my book:
Rhythms and Dances for School Age Kids


Article and illustration by Susan Kramer