I just started teaching a Beginner Tap and Jazz class for ages 4-7. They love exploring all of the sounds that they make with them which proves to be very difficlut to talk over! Just wondering if anyone had some fun ideas for games,songs or exercises for beginner tappers? they are a very rambunctious class and have quite a bit of trouble keeping there balance any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Dancerem = )
PS The class is 50 minutes long

WHATI do with my tappers this age is give them about 5 minutes at the beginning of class to just move. I agree with you, they LOVE the sounds their feet are making!I find that giving them time at the beginning of class, helps them to focus more when I want them to! They are in the routine now, but before they were I had them sit down at the beginning of class and I explained to them that I would give this time at the beginning of each class but they had to use "good listening ears" and "quiet feet" when I was talking. They have done very well with this. With balance, I have them walk across the floor on their toes. Heels must stay off the ground. Then when they get across the floor, we see how long we can stand in place, feet in parallel with our heels just about an inch off the floor. Of course, its not long, but they are getting better. I have seen improvement. For shuffles, we use the barre for the majority, then we do a couple just off the barre. It is there if they lose balance but we try not to. Hope this helps!

I always start with tap, as it is the most difficult for young students and they are more attentive in the beginning of class. Jazz is more "fun" because they can follow along easier than in tap class, were individual attention is so important. I also start on the ground to warm up the feet and let them get some of their loud sounds out of the way. We sit with our feet out in front and knees bent and we start by just tapping our toes lightly (rain), then our heels (thunder), and then slapping our entire foot on ground (lightening... but not too hard!!!). It gets them doing the same thing, but also gets their need for all the loud noises out of the way.