Beginning pointe is a super exciting milestone in a young dancer’s life. Receiving your first pair of pointe shoes is definitely a time students don’t forget and will always remember. It should certainly be celebrated and met with enthusiasm and support.
So what happens now, when a dancer is ready for their first pointe class? What should you as their teacher be doing to maximize their success to ensure they have a complete understanding of protecting and taking care of those precious feet?
Here are five pointers to preventing unnecessary pain, injury and discomfort as well as a list of essential pointe shoe supplies!
1) Make sure that toenails are kept short and are cut on a straight line and not a curved line. This will help to reduce bruising and also ingrown toenails.
2) Keep feet very clean and use powder to help reduce the chance of blisters
3) Keep feet moisturized, especially in cold weather as skin can crack and bleed if the skin is not kept supple. Massaging petroleum jelly or olive oil into the skin at night is recommended.
4) Keep an eye on callous buildup on the soles of the feet and also on the toes. Soaking feet in warm soapy water for at least ten minutes and then rubbing callouses gently with a callous remover should prevent major buildup.
5) If skin is easily torn, use adhesive tape prior to putting on pointe shoes to prevent tearing or blistering of the toes.
POINTE SHOE SUPPLIES
1. Foot Powder
2. Adhesive Tape
3. New Skin
4. Gel Pouches
5. Lamb’s Wool
6. Antibiotic Ointment
7. Petroleum Jelly
8. Blister Kits
9. Band Aids
Good luck,
See you in the dance studio,
Jess
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