I know we talk about purposeful motor and motor coaching all the time but have you thought about the fun ways that you can practice it? We have the most perfect, exciting way to practice motor coaching those apraxic bodies. Before we get to that, I need to introduce Jack Haynes – he wrote the summer party anthem of the year for the Spellerverse called Spellarty (speller+party, get it?). Not only did he write this song, he choreographed it so that Kelley Howe and I could teach it at our magnificent motor breakout session at Motormorphosis 2022. Dare I say, it was MOTOR-ific!
Before we get to the dance moves that you will be coaching, let’s go over a few pointers:
- Remember to presume competence in the body, not just the brain
- Every motor task can be accomplished if you break it down into small enough steps and find the right place to start
- Be confident in your coaching and in their bodies
- Use actionable verbs that coach specific body parts:
- Bend your knees
- Lift your foot
- Raise your hands
- Push your hands up
- Push your feet off the ground
- And so many more!
- Utilize visual aides where needed
- Painters tape is a great options because it comes off everything
- Motor modeling is also helpful, either face your speller or do it beside them
- Make modifications where needed to be successful
Now, it’s time to dance! Jack choreographed a wonderful line dance for all of the verses. For the chorus, you will notice that it almost motor coaches itself, and finally the bridge allows everyone to show off their best moves with a chance to freestyle!
Verse 1:
We’re together forever always linked
(TO THE RIGHT: STEP CROSS STEP → HIT YOUR FOOT)
Turn up the volume even if you don’t sing
(TO THE LEFT: STEP CROSS STEP → HIT YOUR FOOT)
Gather together in front of a crowd
(SPIN BACKWARDS)
Spell your hearts and be proud
(TWO HOPS FORWARD)
Chorus:
Get up on your feet, move them to the beat
(2 STOMPS) (TWO STEP)
Swing those hips and do a dip
(SWAY BACK AND FORTH) (DO A DIP)
Lift those hands to the sound of the band
(RAISE BOTH ARMS)
Move your body, be a hottie
(TWO STEP) (FAN YOUR FACE)
Get up and dance, it’s a summer party
(FIST PUMP)
Verse 2:
We’re together forever even if only through zoom
(TO THE RIGHT: STEP CROSS STEP → HIT YOUR FOOT)
Our voices as loud as a sonic boom
(TO THE LEFT: STEP CROSS STEP → HIT YOUR FOOT)
Thriving and dancing to these sick tunes
(SPIN BACKWARDS)
My happy meter is totally ballooned
(TWO HOPS FORWARD)
Verse 3:
We’re legendary in every way
(TO THE RIGHT: STEP CROSS STEP → HIT YOUR FOOT)
Don’t pay no mind to what the haters say
(TO THE LEFT: STEP CROSS STEP → HIT YOUR FOOT)
Our community will accept you
(SPIN BACKWARDS)
Our world will love all you do
(TWO HOPS FORWARD)
Bridge:
Summer is for love, summer is for hope
Stand up and dance, your moves will be dope
Uncontrolled and uninhibited apraxia don’t make it less dope
Pay attention to your friends and let your moves spread hope
(FREESTYLE)
Listen to the full song here
Katlyn Billue is an S2C Practitioner, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Mentor for I-ASC. She loves working alongside the spellers as a motor specialist to accomplish their goals. Her mantra is that any motor task can be accomplished if you break it down into small enough steps and find the right place to start!
