| Unlike many other sports, dancers do not typically use | | | | were improperly fitted the first time with shoes that |
| sophisticated equipment to enhance their performance. | | | | are too small. Many dance studios that put in shoe |
| However, the health of a dancer's foot is not to be | | | | orders for their classes only put these orders in once |
| overlooked. As a dance teacher you should strive to | | | | or twice a year. An instructor who checks the fit of |
| help your students make proper decisions regarding | | | | their student's shoes at the midway point between |
| footwear. The following is a list of advice for dance | | | | ordering may be able to spot a foot health problem |
| teachers to reference in helping students choose | | | | before it becomes significant. The cost of an additional |
| appropriate shoes. | | | | pair of shoes is minimal compared to the potential |
| Just Like Snowflakes, No Two Feet Are The Same | | | | medical bills and missed lessons due to injured feet. |
| Many dance instructors are knowledgeable that no | | | | Attend A Shoe Fitting With Your Student |
| two dancers will have the same type of feet. What is | | | | The retail associate at the local dance store is not |
| even more important to consider is that on a single | | | | likely an expert in all types of dance footwear. If at all |
| dancer, the needs of each of their feet may be | | | | possible, make a point to go to the store with your |
| different. It is important that an instructor look closely at | | | | student to ensure that they are purchasing the proper |
| a student's feet before sending them off to the local | | | | footwear. This is especially important for the beginning |
| dance store to be fitted for shoes. Are both feet the | | | | student who may not understand what a "proper fit" |
| same length and width? Are there any deformities that | | | | feels like. Some shoes, such as soft soled ballet shoes, |
| may cause problems in a tight fitting shoe? It is also | | | | will stretch over time. A beginning student may not |
| wise to watch a student walk barefoot to determine | | | | understand this, and will insist that the appropriate size |
| whether there are any obvious abnormalities that need | | | | is too small, causing them to leave the store with a |
| to be corrected with a dance shoe. A dancer's feet | | | | shoe that is too large for their foot. The dance teacher |
| are their instrument. It is worth the extra time to ensure | | | | who has many different students may want to look |
| that their instrument is fine tuned and working properly. | | | | into bringing in a retail associate from the local store |
| Protecting A Dancer's Feet By Ensuring A Proper Fit | | | | during scheduled class time to help with fitting issues. |
| Shoes that are too small or too big can cause | | | | By using this method, the instructor is present for each |
| significant health problems, including, but not limited to, | | | | of their student's fittings, and each student will receive |
| blisters and calluses. Additionally, poorly fitted shoes | | | | individualized attention from a professional to ensure |
| can hinder a dancer's progress causing frustration and | | | | that they have the proper fit. |
| burn out in the sport. Many children who are taking | | | | A dance teacher who is active in helping their students |
| dance classes are still growing, which can require that | | | | select their shoes will have students who can |
| they replace their shoes up to several times a year. | | | | concentrate on learning and perfecting their art, instead |
| As a dance teacher, it is wise to keep an eye out for | | | | of worrying about how their feet feel in their shoes. |
| students who are outgrowing their shoes, or who | | | | |
