The first priority is that we should praise, encourage, and celebrate 
the participation of children at any open, public contra dance.  Your 
question hinges upon how you define the "problem" here.  At public 
dances it is the callers role to integrate all participants and 
provide a program that is enjoyable for all.  Integration is the key 
factor and should be the focus of your efforts whenever there are 
novice dancers present.  Generally you should consider calling easy, 
flowing dances that require little or no teaching and limit each 
partnering to less than 10 minutes.  This will make the experience of 
dancing with newcomers more enjoyable and will encourage more adults 
and regular dancers to be more generous in partnering with children 
and novices.

Don't fall into the trap of making the children the 
"problem."  Remember that the caller is responsible for everything 
that happens in the hall and any frustration by any experienced 
dancer is your problem, not a child's or even the parent's.  The key 
is to enlist the support of all the regulars and make sure it is an 
enjoyable experience for them as well.  Once you achieve the goal of 
integrating the novices your "problem" will be greatly diminished.

Generally I think children should be encouraged but, if they dance, 
they should pay admission.  The community may decide to offer a lower 
price but all dancers should pay admission.  If the young children 
are, in fact, not having fun they are not likely to continue.  That 
would be the worst outcome.  If they are encouraged, praised, and 
successful they are likely to take pride in their ability to 
participate with the adults and will be motivated to learn 
quickly.  That would be the best outcome.  With skillful, precise, 
and effective calling I think you can enlist the support of all of 
the regular dancers in achieving that goal.

Just a thought,
Greg McKenzie

********

At 08:38 AM 1/17/2009, you wrote:
>    Hi,
>        How have you handled parents bringing their too young children into
>    a dance insisting "they can do the dance" when they are too small/young
>    to participate in any meaningful way, and generally are just confused,
>    clog up the dance and prevent the others from dancing (and the
>    youngster from having any fun either)? This is probably not a problem
>    at your usual contra dance, but at "family dance" events (longways and
>    such).
>           Cheers,
>           Sue R.
>
>    --
>
>    * * * * * * * * * *
>
>             Sue Robishaw   ~   [1]sue at manytracks.com    ~    906-644-2598
>          770N Fox Rd, Cooks MI 49817     ~ ~ ~     [2]www.ManyTracks.com
>
>              Don't just Celebrate Diversity ~ Live it, Look for it,
>    Appreciate it, Enjoy it ~ Allow it !
>
>     * * * * * * * * * *
>
>References
>
>    1. mailto:sue at manytracks.com
>    2. http://www.ManyTracks.com/
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