How to "WOW" Parents During Tap Class 'Observation Day'

Sure, when families visit class you can have them quietly observe a usual class and tell them their kids are doing great. 

But if you leave it there, you’re missing a huge opportunity. Huge. 

Think of it: you actually have the parents in your class as a CAPTIVE AUDIENCE. They’re watching, they’re listening! This is a fantastic chance to reinforce an expanded view of Tap dance and Tap dance study, so grab this chance! 

I just had a family observation day in my classes a few days ago, so I’ll share with you some of the main ideas I put out there that left the parents excited & impressed by what their kids are learning. 

WHAT You’re Teaching

I broke down a few key fundamental parts of the class - the history component, the musicality instruction, the footwork/technique, the improvisation, etc. 

I took each of the components and shared some detail about them. 

History: I shared the broad strokes of the history lessons I’ve given, including more details that families found interesting & informative.

Musicality: I explained how Tap shoes are percussive instruments, and the students are learning how to express rhythm & music with these instruments. I explained some of the concepts like tempo awareness, rhythm subdivisions, musical/bar structure, etc. I even let the parents know that the musicality that their children are learning in Tap class is the same rhythmic instruction that they learn when studying other musical instruments, so Tap is an excellent reinforcement. 

Footwork: I showed them the different parts of the Tap shoe, so they could really see it as a musical instrument that gives different tone & sound quality depending on which piece strikes the floor. With more advanced footwork, I share how the technique becomes more complex & nuanced (balance, weight changes, intricacy, etc.)

Improvisation: I explained how I give them either freeform or more structured improv exercises and the benefits of both.

Choreography: I share that I’ve weaved the weekly lesson plan material into the song choice and choreography. 

WHY You’re Teaching What You’re Teaching

With the different exercises that the parents saw, I stopped to explain how each exercise served multiple goals of class, and I specified those goals.

I also let the parents know that even with young students, I keep a high standard and that each exercise helps the students to meet those standards. 

This is especially important for the youngest pre-K students. We’re not playing random, un-related games. Every exercise is multi-layered & intentional. Each one supports the other, and every exercise/game truly builds the skills of the student. 

The kids are having a ton of giggles & fun while learning strong fundamentals that they’ll need to be strong Tap dancers 10 years down the road. 

Another Note for the Pre-K students: I explained that the work we do in Tap dance class fosters brain development that improves math, language & literacy skills along with gross motor development. The parents really PERK UP at this ♥️ (I have a free poster that shows these ideas, by the way. You can download, print, frame & hang it up at your studio for families to see all the time!)

Teaching more intermediate/advanced students? Be sure to explain what “intermediate” or what “advanced” is, in a more holistic way. It’s not just harder steps, right? (Need help with this? Check out my blog about clarifying Tap class levels.). This is something that you may need to reinforce again & again with families who think that trick steps are the main qualifier of advanced Tap dancing. Don’t leave that vacuum out there for parents to fill in with their own ideas of Tap levels. Keep giving them your expertise on the subject. 

HOW You’re Teaching

I let my example do a lot of the talking in terms of HOW I teach.

I did stop to explain that I create progressions that have a comfort zone and a stretch zone. It’s one of the ways that I keep each student engaged and appropriately challenged, and foster incremental progress week to week, month to month, year to year.

Want training to improve your Tap teaching methods? Click here to join my Online Tap Teacher Training waitlist.

HOW You Approach & Facilitate Student Development

I made it a point to let the teachers know that Tap class is a place where repetition is a GOOD thing. I repeat exercises week to week to foster incremental progress in their kids. 

I let them know that each kid is developing at their own pace, so if they notice that their child isn’t doing everything perfectly NOT TO PANIC, be worried, or stress their child about it. I look for incremental progress in each student, and each student is improving from week to week. (If attendance is an issue, you can also use this as a time to highlight the value of consistent attendance wherever possible). 

With the 3-4 year-olds, ❤️ I remind the parents that the youngest students are still in the process of making fundamental brain-body connections and that Tap class is a great place for more of this intense work. 

With the parents of kids ages 5 and older, ❤️ I told the parents that I have observed that by age 5-6, kids are already AFRAID of making a mistake. While we all understand this fear, I expressed that I know we all want the kids to learn to value repetition as a key to growth in any field and to be open to learning from mistakes instead of being afraid of them or devastated by them. 

I said “Remember them as babies? They learned everything from repetition right?” 

I let them know that Tap class is a place for healthy repetition - it’s a “lab”. And if things aren’t working then I, as the educator, act as a scientist to figure out what adjustments can be made to support the students’ growth more effectively. 

Want more tools in your Tap teacher toolbox? Join the waitlist for my Online Tap Teacher Training program! 

Family Encouragement!

I forgot to do it this time, but in times past, I ask the students to go hug their families and thank them for bringing them to dance class! Hard-working parents that are bringing their kids to your classes every week deserve whatever appreciation they can get, am I right? We all need a little encouragement. ❤️

BONUS Opportunity, Anyone??

Do you have an adult Tap program? Thinking of starting one? 

During my visit session, I noticed a few of the parents were low-key trying out footwork while they were sitting and observing!!! I seriously thought to myself, If I were starting a 6-8 week absolute beginner Tap class for adults, I’d invite these parents NOW! 

I know many strong adult Tap programs are filled with parents of younger Tap students. So while those parents are visiting your Tap class observing their kids, invite them to try it out for themselves and grow your adult Tap program in the process! 

—-------------------------------------------------------

As you can see, there is PLENTY you can share with the families of your Tap students that will show the awesome-ness of Tap dance & Tap dance study. 

✅ So your assignment is to make a note of at least THREE things that you want to say to your families when they visit your class. ✅ You’ll be SO glad that you took the opportunity to share your expertise and a larger vision of Tap dance with your community of families. It's a small thing to do that has a great impact! 

Click here to join the waitlist for Online Tap Teacher Training