Tap is a style of dance that can be traced back to African American dancing and Irish step dancing. The dancer wears shoes with heel and toe taps that make percussion sounds when striking the floor. If you’re interested in signing your child up for dance classes, the Joan Garrett Dance Arts Studio in Newark, OH, says that tap dancing offers several amazing benefits.

3 Benefits of Tap Dancing for Kids

1. Good Exercise

Tap dancing is a fun activity that gets your kids off the couch and on their feet. From the quick footwork to fast-paced beats, tap is quite physical and increases the heart rate. Over time, it will improve your child’s cardiovascular health and muscular strength.

2. Make New Friends

It’s important for your child to make friendships outside of school, and tap is an excellent way to meet others with common interests. Children who start out at the same level can help one another progress and grow into talented dancers. Performing in front of others can also help conquer shyness.

3. Develop Balance & Coordination

Tap dancing requires you to shift your weight from one foot to the other and move quickly. Even if your child is not coordinated at the beginning, constant practice trains muscle memory, which improves core strength and posture. Over time, this reduces your child’s risk of injury and gives them the foundation they need to succeed in other athletic activities.

If you want your child to learn a creative dance genre, sign them up for tap classes. The Joan Garrett Dance Arts Studio in Newark, OH, provides quality tap dancing instruction to students of all ages. They also offer classes for other genres of dance, including ballet, hip-hop, and jazz. Call them today at (740) 344-8789 to learn more about enrollment, or visit their website to check out the class calendar.