"Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe Volume one" DVD Review

"Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe Volume one" Overview

Created and co-choreographed by producer-director-actress Juleen Murray Shaw, Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe Volume One” is a collection of 30 classic nursery rhymes set to the dance styles of tap, ballet and hip hop. Each rhyme is acted out through dance and enhanced by colorful costumes and imaginative set designs. Interestingly, the talented dancers are filmed from the waist down in order to help children focus on the rhythmic movements of the dancers’ steps in cadence with the nursery rhymes.

In addition to numerous other awards and distinctions, “Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe Volume One” is the first children’s DVD to win the George Foster Peabody Award.

Guide Review of "Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe Volume one"

Entertaining and unique, “Nursery Tap” will delight children while introducing them to artistic dance, rhythm, and rhyme. The sets and costumes are simple yet striking, and they bring to life and brighten the stories in each of the nursery rhymes. The choreography adds an additional artistic element and exposes children to ballet, tap, and hip hop dance, while the timed steps instinctively teaches them about rhythm.

The concepts of rhythm and rhyme are not only fun and artistic, but these concepts are also important for many areas of cognitive development in children, including the areas of math and reading. While I will say that watching the dancers from the waist down was a little strange the first time through, it is true that this perspective effectively highlights the conjunction of the dance steps, rhythms, and rhymes. “Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe: Volume 1” provides a rich and creative experience for kids which will help them expand their minds both creatively and cognitively.

"Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe Volume one" DVD Special Features

• Basic Ballet Positions
• Basic Tap Steps
• Repeat Play
• Chapter Selections

Ideas for Expanding on the "Nursery Tap, Hip to Toe Volume One" Curriculum

• Sing/say the nursery rhymes with your children throughout the day as you drive in the car or work around the house. Help them keep the beat and recognize rhyming words.
• Practice the dance steps in the special features with your kids.
• Help children make up their own rhyme and/or dance.

*For more information, visit the "Nursery Tap" official website.