CAS Blog: Dance Workshop for Underprivileged Children

For three consecutive weekends, I participated in a meaningful service initiative where volunteers selected an activity to teach underprivileged children. I chose dance as my activity and spent two hours every Saturday and Sunday choreographing and teaching them. This experience allowed me to address three CAS strands: Creativity—as my team and I choreographed our performances; Activity—since dancing involves a significant amount of physical movement; and Service—as it gave me the chance to give back to the community by helping children from less fortunate backgrounds.

As an IB student, I understand that learning extends beyond academics. CAS activities like this encourage us to step outside of our comfort zones and develop a deeper sense of empathy and social responsibility. Through this workshop, I gained a clearer perspective on the challenges faced by others, fostering a sense of gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had.

LO 3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
Although I did not initiate this program (it is an annual event organized by our school), I took on the role of one of the four leaders for the dance activity. Initially, I found it challenging to balance my responsibilities. The demands of DP assignments, IAs, and other deadlines left me feeling disorganized. Our team planned to meet online once a week to prepare the choreography, but coordinating schedules proved difficult. To overcome this, I suggested a new approach: each of us worked on a part of the choreography individually and later synchronized it during school breaks. This strategy worked well, and we managed to complete our preparation successfully.

This experience taught me valuable lessons about planning and time management. Now, I feel better equipped to handle similar challenges in the future. Whether organizing small events or leading larger projects, I’ve learned to analyze my strengths and weaknesses and adapt accordingly.

LO 4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
The workshop required dedication, as it took place on weekends a time typically reserved for catching up on studies or relaxing. Despite having homework and other responsibilities, I made it a point to attend every session. Teaching over 300 children with a team of only 20 volunteers presented its own set of challenges. Many children were uncooperative at times, while others became frustrated or distracted. Additionally, the language barrier made communication difficult.

It required a great deal of patience and understanding to ensure that the children felt comfortable and engaged. Rather than becoming frustrated, we incorporated fun dance routines to keep their attention. This experience reinforced the importance of perseverance, as pushing through difficult moments ultimately led to rewarding outcomes.

LO 5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
Collaboration was an integral part of this experience. Initially, I struggled to trust my team members completely, often preferring to take charge of tasks myself. However, this workshop taught me the true essence of teamwork sharing responsibilities and respecting everyone’s input.

While choreographing the routines, our team often debated over ideas, but we learned to compromise by combining everyone’s contributions. After finalizing the choreography, we worked with the other 20 volunteers to teach the children. This process involved addressing different opinions, resolving conflicts, and being adaptable.

Working collaboratively not only improved the quality of the workshop but also made it possible to manage such a large group of children. I realized that teamwork fosters creativity, productivity, and stronger interpersonal connections.

LO 7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
As leaders and representatives of our school, we were mindful of our words and actions during the workshop. It was crucial to treat the children with respect and ensure they felt valued. There were moments when their behaviour tested our patience, but we reminded ourselves of the trust they placed in us and maintained a calm demeanour.

This experience made me more aware of the ethical responsibility we carry in our interactions with others. It taught me to be more considerate and mindful of how my actions can affect those around me.

Reflections and Highlights
This CAS experience was not only about teaching dance but also about building connections and creating lasting memories. The children’s enthusiasm and joy as they greeted us with smiles and hugs every day made each moment special. A particularly touching moment was when they surprised us with friendship bands during one of the sessions, making us feel deeply appreciated.

The experience also pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. While I initially hesitated to commit fully, seeing the children’s excitement and resilience motivated me to give my best. Their positivity and determination reminded me to be grateful for the privileges I often take for granted.

This activity helped me develop important learner profile attributes. As a communicator, I effectively interacted with both the children and my team, ensuring clarity and understanding. I became more balanced as I learned to juggle my responsibilities, managing both my academic work and this service project. It also encouraged me to be reflective, allowing me to assess my actions and find ways to improve as a volunteer. Finally, as a creative thinker, I contributed to choreographing dances, exploring new ways to engage the children and keep the lessons enjoyable. The smiles on the children’s faces were a testament to the success of our efforts, and this experience will remain a cherished memory in my CAS journey.