The minuet is a complex large rhythmic motor skill that can be done moving forward or in circles over 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.

Minuet Technique

The minuet technique 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 minuet begins with 3 walking steps forward. Then instead of taking a 4th walking step forward the toe is pointed to touch the floor. To begin the next sequence the toe that is pointed is lifted slightly off the floor and takes the first step. See illustration.

The rhythm goes like this:
1, 2, 3, 4, &/1, 2, 3, 4, &/ 1, 2, 3, 4, &/ continuing ...

On the brief & count the pointed toe lifts off the floor and steps down on the first count of the new measure.

Keep arms to the sides for balance.

Minuet Kinesthetic Lesson

Have students line up along the back of the room facing forward, with arms stretched to side. Students may need to make several lines across if you have a large class, so they don't bump into each other.

Ask students to do 4 sets of the minuet step facing you, and then turn clockwise 180 degrees to face the back of the room. (If the students begin that first set with a step on the right foot they'll be in position to turn clockwise easily.)

Then do 4 sets of minuet facing the back wall and again turn 180 degree clockwise to face front again.

As in all rhythmic motor skills it is important to master the rhythm before the physical coordination, (which will come with practice).

The benefit of learning the minuet rhythmic motor skill is the coordination needs both right and left hemispheres of brain to work together, so the connections between are strengthened. This lesson also teaches turning clockwise and turning 180 degrees.

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