Toe pointing is a compound large rhythmic motor skill that can be done in place, or moving forward over the floor. It is an important skill to master as the elements make up parts of the more advanced minuet motor skill.

The whole series of 16 large rhythmic motor skills beginning with the easiest to most complex includes: walking, running, marching, galloping, sliding, hopping, jumping, leaping, pedaling, prancing, toe pointing, skipping, waltzing, minuet, schottische, polka.

For kids that have learning disabilities that make balance difficult, assist by holding one of their hands while they practice.

Toe Pointing Technique

Toe pointing can be learned and practiced in place, alternating feet, and then as a moving step across the room. Look at the illustration.

Begin with feet parallel. Legs change role of supporting leg and working leg alternately. The supporting leg balances the weight of the body while the moving leg, the working leg, moves.

One foot steps forward in a walking step and the 2nd foot points forward as in illustration. Then the pointing foot steps down in a walking step and the other foot swings forward to point with tip toes on the floor.

Step and point; step and point; step and point, and continue.

Toe Pointing Kinesthetic Lesson

This is a coordinated step, so for beginners it is useful to hold to the side of a chair with one hand for balance. The free arm can be extended to the side for balance.

The rhythm is even such as 4/4 time at first and then double time when the lesson is mastered.

A sequence to use with your students is step and point; step and point; step and point and continue, while moving in a diagonal line across the room.
1 &2 &/ 1 &2 &/1 &2 &/ 1 &2 &/

Next, have students form into a circle facing counterclockwise. Stretch arms to side or place hands on waist.

Do the sequence of step and point 8 times. Turn in place 180 degrees and do 8 sets moving clockwise in the circle.

The benefit of learning toe pointing is the coordination needs both right and left hemispheres of brain to work together, so the connections between are strengthened. Toe pointing is part of the more advanced minuet rhythmic motor skill.

For more practice

All 16 basic rhythmic motor skills and dances for practice are in my book:
Rhythms and Dances for School Age Kids


Article and illustration by Susan Kramer