Entertainment
Performance by 6 and 7 year olds makes them National Champs but stirs up controversy
There's no doubt that they're amazing. But some people thought the routine was inappropriate for kids their age. What do you think?
Jesi Halprin
08.06.21

For some kids, dancing is something they do around the house for fun; for others, there might be a few classes and an end of the year recital, but national competitions are at the forefront of their young minds for a select few.

In this video, a group of six and seven-year-olds competes at the Rainbow National Dance Competition, a country-wide event that culminates in a National Finals with the opportunity to win over $100,000 in cash prizes.

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Before we talk about the video itself, it is worth mentioning there is some debate online when it comes to videos such as this one. That debate focuses on whether choreography like the one these kids are performing is appropriate for their age.

While some argue young children should not be performing dance moves like adults in a club to music that further sexualizes the situation. Others claim they don’t know the meaning and are just having fun.

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But maybe that’s the problem? If they don’t know what they are doing, why is their dance teacher making them perform this choreography? You decide as we break down the video and what goes into executing a dance routine.

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The group is made up of ten individuals, nine girls, and one boy. At first glance, this is probably the most impressive part of the performance.

Have you ever tried to coordinate ten young children? It’s no simple task, but these kids work together, hitting their marks and doing their part.

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The theme of the performance is “School’s Out,” which is complemented by the bell sound that rings at the beginning and their school uniform costumes. It would be difficult to deny that they do look super cute in their costumes.

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There are some incredibly impressive moments throughout the routine where a few girls perform a standing split with ease and unwavering balance. This is a move people three times their age only dream of mastering so well.

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Throughout the video, there is no doubt that some of these kids have some genuine talent that they will continue to hone in on.

Because of this, some people in the comments wish there were move advanced moves that showed off these skills rather than letting them jump around and shaking their bodies in this way.

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One commenter on the video sums up what a lot of others are feeling as well:

“I am so conflicted!! They were amazing; they had to practice a lot to be that great and the national CHAMPS. On the other hand, to each their own, I do hate to see these little guys doing a grown-up dance; even for grown-ups can be seen as obscene.”

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You can see the smiles on their faces as they dance, which is what it is all about at this age. We are sure they are proud of themselves, and their parents are too, and they should be, as they put in a lot of work and many hours to get to where they are.

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Be sure to check out the video below to see the dance routine for yourself.

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