Tap dancing is a great style of dance for your tiny tot, toddler or pre-school aged child.  It is a fun dance style to start with and is very rewarding for your budding dancer; they get to do what they do best and make noise with their feet! In the process, almost without realising it, they learn about beat and rhythm and get a great workout in the process.

When I first put on a pair of tap shoes I was amazed at how many different sounds you can make with the one pair of shoes. The shoes have a metal plate on the toe and heel portion of the shoe which make different sounds depending on which part you use and how you strike the floor. It really is like playing an instrument. When dancing, your sounds become part of the music you are dancing to which can be really exhilarating.

Parents often ask me how to get more wear out of a pair of tap shoes for their little one seeing as though children’s feet grow so quickly.  When being fitted into a pair of tap shoes it’s a good idea to chat to the sales assistant about buying shoes that can have an inner sole put in them.  This will enable you to buy a pair that is half a size bigger and will probably then last for 12 rather than 6 months.  Please ensure that the shoe is still fitted well and is not slipping off the back of the foot and remember to ask the sales assistant for advice.

Here are some great tap dancers to look up on the web for inspiration:  Fred Astaire, Gene Kelley, Ann Miller, the Nicholas Brothers. Gregory Hines, Brenda Bufalino and of course Shirley Temple.