Hay River (Jun 12/06) - A group of children in Hay River are trying their feet at a new style of dancing.

The four and five-year-old's are learning the basics of Scottish highland dancing.

Ashley West-Pratt teaches a group of four- and five-year-old Hay River children the basics of highland dancing. The Growing Together class has attracted 10 children, including, left to right, Zoe Walsh, Taylor White, Kianna Gonzales and Jaden Stewart. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

J.J. Lamoureux, 5, says he is having fun learning the new dance style, although he adds, "I don't know why they call it highland dancing. They just do."

J.J. is one of 10 children -- eight girls and two boys -- learning the dance from Ashley West-Pratt, a new child care worker at the Growing Together program for families.

"It fits with our goals of promoting active lifestyles and healthy living," she says.

Tenielle Patterson, 4, says she is having fun "because I like dancing."

She says she especially likes spinning and hopping on one foot.

Tenielle even has a Scottish-style plaid dress that she wears to the dancing classes.

"I think it's great," says her mother, Orlanda Carlson, who notes her daughter comes home and shows off her new dance moves.

Tenielle also plays a video of Scottish dancing at home, Carlson notes. "She'll play that over and over again just to do the dancing."

Carlson says the dance class helps build the children's self-esteem. "I think it's good, not just for the exercise, but to be with other kids."

West-Pratt learned the art of highland dancing during 10 years at a Scottish dance school in British Columbia.

West-Pratt, whose grandmother on her father's side was Scottish, says Growing Together offered her an opportunity to teach and she is happy to do it.

She is showing the children how to do a basic Scottish country dance called The Prince of Orange.

"I broke down the steps that they needed to know," she explains.

A country dance involves a group of people and is more social that other types of Scottish dancing, such as a highland fling or a sword dance, she explains. "The steps are the same. It's just how you put them together."

Among other things, The Prince of Orange involves the children weaving in a line.

"That's kind of like weaving a basket," says J.J.

There have been two classes so far in the basement of the Anglican Church, beginning on May 24, and there will be one more on June 14.

Parents will be able to come to the final class to see their children perform the dance.