Fit - For ballet shoes, the single most important factor is fit. The shoe should fit like a sock or glove without puckers or extra material to pinch at the tip of the shoe. The slipper should NOT be so snug or binding as to curl the toes inside the shoe or squeeze the ball or widest part of the foot. For children, the feet are still developing and growing. It is important to have a close-fitting shoe to allow the teacher to catch and correct your little ballet dancer’s stance. A conforming fit will also allow your child to “feel” the floor with her feet when learning ballet technique. Very young children are working on balance and other fundamental skills and, their shoes must fit almost as if they are to encourage good foot alignment. The earlier the dancer learns proper placement, the less injury he or she will sustain to the knees and ankles down the road.
Size - You might be tempted to buy a ballet shoe a “thumbs-width” or half size larger that leaves room for growth. This is understandable as a child’s feet grow fast, and you may want to save some money in the future. Because it is fit that matters most, you should know that ballet shoe sizing varies by brand and that you can’t always rely on street-shoe sizing. . It is a great idea to visit stores that specialize in dancewear to ask questions and try different sizes and brands if you are uncertain about sizing and finding the right fit.
Type of shoe - While this might seem obvious, there are a variety of ballet shoes to choose from with anything from a single-sole leather ballet shoe to a split-sole canvas shoe. The typical “first” ballet shoe for little girls and boys is a leather shoe with a single leather sole or split-soles .Nothing is more inspiring than a beautifully pointed foot, but it takes some training to get there.
Color - Pink for girls and white for boys.
Price - In general, ballet shoes are among the least expensive dance shoes. As a dancer’s feet grow, new shoes will be needed to maintain the proper support. You may be tempted to go for the cheapest shoes possible, but keep in mind that these could be poorly constructed and become a distraction.
Purchase
Some local shoe shops stock ballet shoes, but it is best to go to one of the specialist dance shops. As ballet shoes are designed to fit like a second skin it is essential that they are fitted properly. Although ballet shoes are sold by Mino Dance Wear, Energetics and Bloch.
The girls shoes must be leather, soft, whole sole shoes in pink. The shoes MUST NOT be split sole or satin.
Bloch has a shop at this address: Shop M16-18 Southbank Art and Leisure Southgate Avenue Southbank ph: 9645 7999 web: www.blochworld.com
Before using, attaching the elastic or writing in the shoes, bring the shoes back to class in the wrapping for Ms Rogers to confirm that the fit is correct.
Attaching the elastic:
Bend the back of the shoe forwards against the sole
Attach the elastic securely at the point of the fold
Do not sew through the drawstring which runs around the upper edge of the shoe
Ask Ms Rogers how far down inside the shoe the elastic should be sewn and how much elastic is needed in each shoe for your child so the correct fit is achieved
