How to Teach Kids to Tap Dance

Tap dancing is a great activity for kids. It can help them in staying healthy, lean and fit, as well as helping to develop their confidence. Tap dancing is a popular choice for energetic kids as it requires stamina and quick movements.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Realize that some children mature at different ages and may have difficulty when beginning tap dance classes. Some kids can start tap dancing at 3 years old, while others might find it more difficult. In the beginning, assess your students and teach them at the appropriate level.

2. Get each student to purchase or bring in their tap shoes before beginning your lessons. Start teaching the kids simple easy-to-learn movements. Do the steps very slow and make it fun for them, so that they will stay focused.

3. Place your heel out on the floor first, and then step it back beside your other foot. Ask the kids to repeat this step over and over until they get the hang of it.

4. Ask the kids to try doing this once with their left heel, and then with the right heel. Get them to repeat these movements so they can get used to the quicker pace.

5. Teach the kids the toe drop. Ask them to place their foot in a pointed position on the floor and raise their heel. Keep the weight on the ball of the feet. Ask them to make noise with their tap shoes whenever possible. Teach them to dig their shoe into the floor and then drop the heel to make a noise.

[eroseh]

on 3/14/2008 The five basic sounds of any tap step are:

dig (ball of the foot)
heel (heel drop)
toe (top of toe hitting ground)
brush (forward movement)
spank (backward movement)

Also, some people like noting the differences of the following (helps kids with weight placement and balance)
Stamp or lighter sound Step (foot stays on the floor...weight bearing...think like a postage stamp it will stay)
Stomp or lighter sound Touch(non weight bearing)

Hop (one foot/same foot)
Leap (one foot/change feet)