25May2018
Kids Fitness, Kids Tap Dancing
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May 25, 2018

Kids tap dancing is one of the best kids’ activities you could get your kids to try.

Tap dancing can offer kids a lot of physical benefits including helping kids to strengthen their muscles, allowing kids to develop good balance and coordination.

Kids tap dancing can also help to boost your kids’ self confidence by giving them a creative outlet to channel their energy.

By going to tap dancing classes, our kids will be able to meet more peers of their ages, hence enhance their social skills which will be helpful to them in the future.

Are you interested to let your kids learn to tap dance? Start it off by learning the types of tap dance now, check out this article to find out now!

Via Performing Dance Arts: Different Styles of Tap Dancing for Kids

Tap dance, the dance form that uses the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor, is one of the most unique and captivating styles of the dance arts. Most dance is set to music, but in tap, performers actually create some of the sounds with their dancing. If you’re looking for a tap class for kids in Toronto, then there are several stylistic factors you may want to consider before you decide.

Styles of Tap Dance

Several different styles of tap dance exist that all evolved from unique time periods, vantage points, and cultural roots. Here is a brief list of the different styles of tap dance.

Classical Tap

Also going by the name flash or swing tap, classical tap was popularized through 20th century movies. Consisting of a combination of jazz dance, ballet, and acrobatics, famous tap dancers include the Nicholas Brothers, who are credited with making significant contributions to promoting and publicizing classical tap.

Rhythm Tap

Tap dancing shoes create their own percussion on the floor. This is the focus in rhythm tap, as the shoes themselves are instruments. Sounds can be made by striking the heel, among other techniques. Usually, rhythm tap dancing is performed without musical accompaniment.

Musical (or Broadway) Tap

This style combines both traditional tap dancing with Broadway, and is suited to musical theater-style show dancing. The visual aesthetics of the dance are given more focus here, with an emphasis on using the upper body and arms.

Funk Tap

Taking cues from both hip hop and funk, this is a new, evolved contemporary dance form that is a lot of fun. This is a great style for keeping classes interesting while building jazz dancing skills.

Why Should Your Child Learn Tap Dance?

Learning to dance teaches children about the arts, athleticism, aesthetics, and work ethic. Tap dance provides an environment for learning with a structured method in a fun, creative way. Furthermore, there are benefits to a child’s outlook, self-esteem, self-confidence and social life that can all be gained by taking tap dance classes.

10Feb2018
Indoor Play, Kids Fitness
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February 10, 2018

via now TO LOVE:When it’s either pouring with rain or simply too hot to step outside (or perhaps you don’t have an outdoor space) it can be a challenge to occupy the kids indoors, let alone keep them active – physically and mentally. Especially during the seemingly endless school holidays!

Combat the boredom with our easy activity ideas for indoor fun and games. Why not pin these indoor actives for kids’ to the fridge door so that you always have an answer to the inevitable “I’m bored!”.

10 pin bowling

Using recyclable bottles or cartons and a soft ball, like a tennis ball, set up a bowling alley in the hallway. Each child takes a turn and gets a point for every pin they knock down.

Land the ping pong ball in the bucket

This one will get the kids up and moving. All you need is a plastic bucket and a ping pong. Place the bucket on the floor and ask the kids to take one step back away from it. They each take turns throwing the ping pong ball into the bucket. Watch as they try to get the notoriously bouncy ball to stay in the bucket. After a child lands a ball in the bucket, they’re to take another step backwards, furthering the distance from the bucket, and throwing again.

T-shirt decorating

Either revamp an old white tee or pick up an inexpensive shirt from Big W, Kmart or Best ‘N Less. Encourage your children to create their own personalised designs using fabric paints, glitters and pens. They’ll love creating something they can wear later.

Dress ups

Keeping a box of costumes is always a good idea when you have small children. Keep an eye out for dancing costumes or theater outfits donated to charity and second-hand stores. For just a few dollars, your kids will have hours of fun, plus playing dress ups is great for their imagination and creative play.

Make your own photo albums

Many of us have stacks of photos that need organising or put into albums. We probably also have hundreds on our phones which have never seen the light of day. Let the kids make their own photo albums by choosing a selection of their favourite photos, sticking them into a scrapbook and adding their own clever captions. It’s a wonderful keepsake that helps you get organised too.

Build a fort

Use either soft furnishings (blankets, pillows and sheets), or stop by the local appliance and hardware store and ask if they have any spare boxes, to create a little sanctuary, fort or ‘house’. The kids will have a ball building their own own grand designs.

Act out the story from their favourite book
While you read you kids’ favourite book, ask the them to act out the scenes following your words. Alternatively, leave them to create a play about their favourite storybook, and you can be their audience when they’re ready to lift the curtain.

Musical bums

A favourtie at kids’ birthday parties, musical bums is just like musical chairs, using cushions instead of chairs – so it’s ideal for apartments and small spaces. Place one less cushions than children on the floor, then play their fave upbeat song while they wiggle and dance around the room. When you hit pause on the track, the kids must find a cushion and plonk themselves on it. The child without a cushion seat sits out until the game starts again. Each round remove a cushion until there is just two children and one cushion between them.

Library film club

For when it’s time to for a little relaxation and quiet… Most libraries rent out DVDs, so get the kids to choose a film each as well as a couple of books to keep them quiet. Also look out for holiday workshops at the library.

WATCH: An indoor activity for parents – DIY beanbags for movie watching! Artice continues after video…

Turn your home into a kiddie day spa

Create your own spa at home for a fraction of the price. Get everyone in a dressing gown then paint your kids’ nails, do their hair and give them a massage. Then swap and let them provide spa services to you!

29Jan2018
Gymnastics For Kids, Kids Fitness
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January 29, 2018

MAma speaks: My eldest daughter did rhythmic gymnastics for 2 years, I can think of one more reason – it also builds confidence and discipline! 

via I love to watch you play: 

7 REASONS GYMNASTICS IS A GOOD SPORT FOR KIDS

(By guest contributor Amanda Borden)

I was 12-years-old when I decided I wanted to be an Olympic gymnast. I always loved sports. I played t-ball, tried ice skating and ballet and was on a soccer team for two years, but there was something about gymnastics. I loved the challenge and the constant pursuit of perfection.

Now, as a mother of three children and the owner of my own gyms, I am inspired when I see
that same spark that I once felt in the eyes of the children I work with. Here are seven things I like about gymnastics and 7 reasons why it is a great sport for children.

7 REASONS GYMNASTICS IS A GOOD SPORT FOR KIDS

It’s a sport for all sports

Gymnastics provides a great foundation for ALL sports. Gymnastics develops strength, flexibility, balance, agility and coordination…all skills needed for sports like hockey, basketball, volleyball and football. The flexibility used to do a leg split is the same flexibility a hockey or soccer player uses to save a goal. The balance and coordination a gymnast develops to jump on a balance beam is similar to the skills needed by a pitcher on the baseball mound. Whether you become a competitive gymnast or participate in other competitive sports, gymnastics gives you a great foundation to succeed!

It makes you a better math student

That’s right, math is considered a spatial sport, which means the more children move in different ways, the more connections are made in the brain that improve spatial awareness. Kids need good spatial skills to understand mathematical equations and geometric principles. Gymnastics does just that! Gymnastics moves improve body awareness and help wire the brain for math success.

Weather and seasons aren’t a factor

Gymnastics is a year round sport so there is no need to wait until gymnastics season; you can participate year round or on your schedule. It’s an indoor sport so you don’t need to wait for the weather to warm up or cool down. Plus, you can participate in your “off” season from other sports to build strength and coordination.

It teaches resilience and mental toughness

In a sport where the best athletes at the highest levels still fall and make mistakes, gymnastics teaches resilience and mental toughness. It’s a sport where you fall again and again, and have to continually “get back on the horse”. In 1992 I was crushed when I didn’t make the Olympic team. But the culture of gymnastics is to continue to get back up and never quit trying. Four years later I not only made the team, but was named the captain of the gold medal winning team known as the Magnificent Seven. Gymnastics is a sport where you learn to quickly put your mistakes behind you and move on.

The outfits are awesome?

Leotards have evolved over the years allowing gymnasts to infuse their own style into their outfits. Gymansts can express their personalities through the vibrant colors and stretchy and shiney fabrics they wear. The variety is endless! Who doesn’t’ love stepping out in a bedazzled, glittery, sparkling outfit covered in crystals?

Social Skills and Life Lessons

Gymnastics requires kids to stand in line, take turns using equipment, to listen to and apply a coaches feedback. All things that develops real life skills like patience, following directions, being quiet and respecting others. Gymnastics teaches commitment, dedication, respect, time-management, and builds confidence and self esteem…. all the qualities we want our children to have to be successful students and human beings. With gymnastics offering programs starting at toddler age, gymnastics can be great social preparation for starting school.

Flying, swinging, climbing and bouncing

Swinging, climbing, jumping, flipping…..is fun!!! What’s a child not to love about gymnastics? With participation in youth sports declining and the obesity rate in children increasing…it’s important that we keep kids involved, engaged and most of all, having FUN while participating in sports!

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