About This Video

In this guided dance video, Rachel and Jen lead participants through a jitterbug-themed movement activity.

The video begins with a swing-style warmup. Participants practice snapping or swinging their arms, pushing their hands side to side like flashing lights, and trying a Charleston-inspired step with a small kick forward and a step back.

Rachel and Jen then teach the jitterbug as a partner dance. Participants practice rocking side to side, stepping back, holding hands or using another safe partner connection, turning in a circle together, trying a sugar step, and returning to the jitterbug rhythm with music.

The video ends with a gentle cool down using arm presentations, rainbow shapes, drop swings, slow circles, breathing, and a final self-hug. This video gives participants a guided dance activity focused on rhythm, coordination, partner awareness, flexible movement, self-expression, and joy.

Good For

• Adults with IDD who enjoy dance, music, swing, jitterbug, partner movement, rhythm, or guided exercise.

• Caregivers looking for a movement video with a warmup, dance instruction, repeated steps, partner options, freestyle choices, and a gentle cool down.

• Adult day programs, home routines, or group activities about dance, body awareness, coordination, rhythm, social movement, self-expression, and movement safety.

• Participants who benefit from visual modeling, flexible pacing, repeated movement patterns, partner options, and encouragement to move in their own way.

How to Use This Video

Use this video as a guided dance activity for a home routine, day program, small group, partner activity, or supported movement session.

Caregivers can help participants choose a safe place to move, clear the area, adjust the volume, and decide whether to dance standing, seated, with a partner, or with modifications. Participants can follow Rachel and Jen closely or adapt the movements to what feels good in their own bodies.

This video includes a swing warmup, Charleston-inspired steps, taught jitterbug partner movement, music, circling, sugar steps, snapping, and a gentle cool down. Caregivers can pause between sections, repeat the rock step practice, or use only the warmup or cool down if a shorter activity is needed.

Because dance involves movement, balance, coordination, music, space awareness, turning, and possible partner contact, caregivers can provide support with pacing, safety, hydration, breaks, volume, personal space, gentle hands, and movement modifications as needed.

At the end, participants can notice how their bodies feel, name a favorite jitterbug movement, and return to this dance again to build comfort with the rhythm and partner steps.