Mirror Me

Youth practice partnership through this fun and easy community builder. 

This can also be considered a dance experience as youth experiment with movement. 

Example video: Mirroring  

Step 1  

• Ask youth to find a partner. If there is an odd number, you can participate. Partners should face each other.  
• Say, “When you look in a mirror you see your reflection. We’re going to take turns being a mirror to our partner by copying everything they do.”  
• Ask youth to identify who will be the first leader and who will be the first follower in their partnership. Remind them they will each get a turn to lead.   
• Ask all youth who are moving first to raise their hands, then ask all youth who will be the follower to raise their hands.   
• Say, “The first leader will move and their partner has to copy exactly what they do, just like they were their reflection in a mirror. The key is to move slowly so the follower will be able to copy the mover at the same time!”  

Step 2  

• Play the first selected song or begin without music.  
• Encourage the first leader to begin by slowly raising a hand while the first follower copies at the same time. 
• Allow leaders to make up movements with their arms and legs that their follower can copy.  
• Remind them to make their movements slowly and to keep facing their partner.  
• Wait about a minute and then ask the partners to switch so the leader becomes the follower and follower becomes the leader.  
• Encourage the new leader to begin by slowly lifting a hand while their partner copies.   
• Wait about a minute and then ask the partners to switch so the leader becomes the follower and follower becomes the leader.  
• Continue for as long as time allows.