Children of all abilities and backgrounds learn social, emotional and cognitive skills by dancing together in Sparkplug Dance classes. Every Sparkplug class is open and accessible to each and every participant. Reaching teen parent, drug-affected and low-income families, the Sparkplug Program delivers the same lively message all over town: Let's make learning fun for everyone.
"Young parents are rarely taught how they need to play with their children. It is even less common for them to be taught why they need to interact. This information and hands-on modeling was invaluable to them and their parenting. They were still talking about “dance class” months after Rachael visited us."
––Crystal Myers, Teen Parent Coordinator, Willamette High School
“Thank you so much for this wonderful class. It made me realize how much fun it is to move and groove and also the importance of brain development. I will wholeheartedly be taking this to our classroom and kids. Also the information on the swings and exer-cizers have shed a whole new light on our baby situation. I look forward to putting your info into action!”
“This was very refreshing and exciting to think about new ways to move with the kids. Overall it was a great experience and very informative. It will definitely be something we use.”
“I really enjoyed it. Learning about the infants and having them on their tummy more was a great help. Seeing the simple items and dancing with them was a great idea and help for the toddler. You had a lot of great ideas and I will try to use a lot of them in our center.”
“I enjoyed the class very much. I wouldn’t change anything. I am looking forward and very excited to do dance with the toddlers.”
––Participants in State of Oregon Childcare Provider
and Teen Parent Coordinator Program teacher training
"It is hard to express how good it feels that there is a welcoming place, not just an accepting place, where our son can move, learn, and interact with typical and special needs children alike."
––Parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder
"I have watched families with kids with disabilities blossom through their contact with Sparkplug."
––Carolezoom Patterson, artist and disability rights activist
"Never was there a moment when [our child] was somehow left out, nor forcibly included with attentions called to his disability. He was able to participate as anyone would."
––Parent of a child with cerebral palsy
"Financial assistance has meant a lot of joy for my child; he loves going to dance class. We didn't have the funds to attend; the scholarship really opened that door for us."
––Parent of a scholarship recipient