Proper running shoes are a very important part of being prepared to
participate in gym class. There are thousands of different styles and brands to
choose from based on the type of shoe you are looking for and what price you want to pay. As a PE teacher and athlete, I have seen and heard it all about runners. Here are some suggestions that I have to help you make good choices for your child's safety and enjoyment in gym class.

Do's

• Buy shoes that fit. If you want to buy big make sure it is only a 1/2 to 1 size difference. Even 1 size too big can hinder skill development and enjoyment.
  
  
• Buy Athletic shoes. Especially for older kids. As part of the curriculum your child will participate in fitness type exercises and will record their results. Shoes that are "casual" or designed for skateboarding hinder performance due to the non flexibility of the sole. You know there is a problem when the child says they can run faster without shoes on. As a PE teacher this is the biggest issue we have with footwear.
  
  
• Buy Velcro shoes for young kids who are not yet tying laces very well. (Gr. 1-2) They are effective at staying tight and won't take long to do up. Some children spend most of the warm up game tying their shoes. The only problem comes when the Velcro is worn out before the shoe.
  
  
• Buy non-marking shoes.

Don't

• Don't buy "casual" or skateboarding shoes for gym.
  
  
• Don't buy zippered or slip on shoes. As soon as a child sprints they
  unzip or stretch to the flexion of the foot. This has caused many unsafe
  situations where a shoe comes off while running and their socks are very slippery. Also these shoes tend to not fit great so a kick will send them flying towards another student. They are just not worth it.
  
  
• Don't buy shoes with any red, blue, pink, or black on the soles unless
  they are Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Brooks, or New Balance (no Spalding, Bum, or Character Shoes - they say non-marking but they leave marks unless they have a brown gummed sole.)

I just feel this is some valuable information when going to purchase shoes for
your child in the years to come.

Actively yours,

Colleen Rana