Many children start dance classes at a young age. As a parent, it can be exciting to find new clothes and accessories for your child’s upcoming classes. However, buying ballet shoes for a toddler can be a difficult task. There are many options to choose from, including colors, sizes, soles, and fasteners. This guide discusses some tips to follow when buying ballet shoes for your little one. 

How to Find the Best Ballet Shoes for Young Children

1. Focus on Fit

A ballet shoe will be useless if it doesn’t fit your child correctly. To measure their feet, have them stand with their toes flat on the floor. Use a tape measurer to measure the length of their entire foot and the width at the widest part of the foot. 

Ballet shoes should be form-fitting with little wiggle room, but should not be so snug that they are uncomfortable. Even when you have your child’s size, they should still try on several pairs of shoes to find the ones that fit the best. 

2. Pick the Right Material 

Ballet shoes are typically made of leather, canvas, or satin. Leather is the most durable and can give children extra support when they are just beginning dance classes. Canvas is slightly less durable than leather, but the material is easier to clean.

Satin is usually reserved for performances because it looks elegant but can get dirty quite easily. Leather and canvas shoes are both great choices for a toddler’s first ballet shoes since they can be spot-cleaned easily and are comfortable. 

3. Choose the Type of Shoe

There are many types of ballet shoes to choose from. Your decision will likely come down between a full and a split sole. A full sole, also called a single sole, has a leather or suede bottom that runs from the heel to the toe and provides more support for the foot. This type of shoe is usually the best option for children taking dance classes for the first time. 

A split sole has a break in the middle of the foot. It allows for more flexibility but requires a certain amount of skill and is usually reserved for more experienced ballerinas. 
 

If you’re looking for dance classes to enroll your child in, visit Dancexcel in Brunswick, OH. This dance studio offers a wide range of classes for children of all ages. It’s the perfect place to help your little one explore their love of dance while building confidence and self-esteem. Visit their website to see their full list of classes or call (330) 273-5525 to register for a class.