Many children and young teens who take dance lessons often explore tap dance. Experienced tap dancers can make the dance's intricate foot movements look easy, but it takes lots of instruction, hard work, and dedication to become proficient in this dance style. Unfortunately, children can quickly become discouraged if they don't pick up the movements quickly. Here are some tips to help your child make the most of their beginner tap dance lessons. 

3 Tips for Beginner Tap Dancers

1. Prepare for Dance Class

Before sending your child to their first tap dance lesson, ensure they are ready for the class. Please provide them with comfortable workout clothing that doesn't restrict movement. Breathable fabrics like cotton are ideal because they keep your child cool during their lessons and stay close to their body to prevent tripping hazards. Your child will also need comfortable tap shoes with metal plates on the heel and ball of the foot. Make sure to check with your studio for their specific dress code before starting class. 

2. Start With the Basics

It's natural for young dancers to want to move quickly and fluidly before they're ready. Beginners should start with basic moves first, master them, and move on to advanced dances. For instance, the ball heel is an essential move that mimics how you naturally walk across a floor. As your child gets used to the movement, they can incorporate others until they are capable of performing more complex combinations.  

3. Focus on Your Legs and Ankles

When tap dancing, your legs and ankles must work together to maneuver into natural-looking movements. Though your legs should be doing most of the work, you must also focus on your ankles and keep them relaxed. Sometimes, young dance students overwork their ankles to perform faster movements. However, it's best to loosen the ankles and use the legs from the hips down to build strength.

If your child is interested in learning tap dance, consider New Hampshire Academie of Dance as their go-to dance studio. For years, this dance studio and its skilled instructors have offered dance classes to families throughout Rockingham County. They welcome students from the age of 18 months and up where they can learn ballet, hip-hop dance, lyrical dance, and more. Students at this studio also perform in recitals to showcase their growth as dancers. For more information, call (603) 432-4041 or visit them online.