Wingman for Dance inspires children to be grateful, demonstrate empathy, compassion, kindness and most importantly, acceptance of all children regardless of any perceived differences. Each month in the studio we will be incorporating Wingman for Dance activities within all of our dance classes.
Our Wingman Week for October was a great success! During October, we discussed the Core Values of the Wingman for Dance program and created our very own Thankful Pumpkin Patch.
Wingman’s Core Values:
Winning isn’t everything
Include everyone
Never shut someone down
Go above and beyond
Step up and take the lead
Wingman Activity – Grateful:
With Thanksgiving happening in October, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we are grateful for. 2020 has been one crazy year, and it is easy for us to get stuck thinking about all the negative things that have happened this year. So instead, we wanted to give our dancers an opportunity to reflect on some of the amazing things in their lives.
Our dancers had so many thoughtful responses we had to create two Thankful Pumpkin Patches in the studio to show them all off. Some of our dancers responses included:
- I am thankful for my family and friends because they are always there for me and I love them – Paige
- I am thankful for dance because I love doing it and to see my FDC family. – Cari
- I am thankful for the love I can give and then the love I can receive. – Mia
- I am thankful for eating more than one meal each day – Kristen
- I am so grateful to physically be in the dance studio because it was so tough not to be here for 5 months – Bailey
- I am thankful for being able to dance in the studio instead of staying home – Makayla
- I am thankful for my baby sister. – Emma
- I am thankful for clean water – Amelia
- I am thankful for my cat because she makes me happy when I’m sad and she’s always there for me – Olivia
- I am thankful for going to school – Kadence
How Can Parents Help?
The Wingman for Dance core values emphasize the following and are great topics of discussion at home. Ask your dancers what real actions they think represent the five Core Values below:
Winning isn’t everything
Include everyone
Never shut someone down
Go above and beyond
Step up and take the lead
What is Wingman for Dance?
Wingman for Dance is a program from Dylan’s Wings of Change, a foundation dedicated to the memory of Dylan Hockley. Dylan was one of the first grade victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Dylan was six years old and had autism. He could be his best when those around him would be his Wingman. You can find out more at www.wingmanleague.org. Also, find Wingman for Dance on Facebook and on Instagram.
