Kid shoes

[CloudBee]

Aug 12, 2021 10:35:36 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Honestly I think you should make a list of the shoes she needs (ex pair of athletic sneakers, one pair dress shoes, one pair casual shoes, etc.) and let her pick them out.

There is no reason to get caught up in being cool or fitting in at this age (easier said than done I know) and this is the perfect time for her to get something she loves and feels good in. 

I agree. She has her teen years to be wrapped up in this. I wouldn't force it now.

If she likes velcro without laces, I don't think you should bother looking for the laces+velcro style you prefer.

If you really care about making sure she fits in, I think her age group is more concerned with cool backpacks and pencil boxes, than shoes. All things that are new for their age group as incoming kinders.

ETA: Below are some brands that work well for my son. He's specific about what feels comfortable, and some brands don't.

- Nike velcro 
- Vans slip-ons
- Bog boots
- Merrell Jungle Moc slip-ons
- Vans flip flops
- Adidas for cleats
- Adidas slide sandals

^ At 8.5 he has yet to notice anyone else's sneakers and ask for the same. It's purely about comfort still.

[steamboat185]

When my older kid was in kindergarten they requested Velcro shoes as it was easier for the teachers.

[af1212]

Aug 15, 2021 9:22:52 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

When my older kid was in kindergarten they requested Velcro shoes as it was easier for the teachers.

Was this a public school? This seems nuts to me. I was a K teacher and we practiced practiced practiced tying shoes. It’s all part of helping them become independent learners. By having them in Velcro it’s just prolonging the process.

[dochas]

Aug 15, 2021 11:07:13 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Aug 15, 2021 9:22:52 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

When my older kid was in kindergarten they requested Velcro shoes as it was easier for the teachers.

Was this a public school? This seems nuts to me. I was a K teacher and we practiced practiced practiced tying shoes. It’s all part of helping them become independent learners. By having them in Velcro it’s just prolonging the process.

There was no lace tying in my son's Kindergarten and there was only a few kids in the entire school who could tie at all, and none under pressure. LOL It does not seem like an unreasonable request. There was 1 teacher to 25 kids and they had enough to do.

[joy]

Aug 15, 2021 11:07:13 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Aug 15, 2021 9:22:52 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

When my older kid was in kindergarten they requested Velcro shoes as it was easier for the teachers.

Was this a public school? This seems nuts to me. I was a K teacher and we practiced practiced practiced tying shoes. It’s all part of helping them become independent learners. By having them in Velcro it’s just prolonging the process.

My daughter’s K classes say to only send kids in shoes that they can put on/off themselves. If they cannot tie laces then do not send shoes with laces. Yes, this is a public school.

I’m actually a bit worried as she isn’t great at changing clothes by herself. She can get stuck or lost. I hope they will help but I don’t get a strong feeling in that direction.

EDIT - I’m talking about if she has to change her clothes midday due to some mishap.

[timorousbeastie]

Aug 15, 2021 11:07:13 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Aug 15, 2021 9:22:52 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

When my older kid was in kindergarten they requested Velcro shoes as it was easier for the teachers.

Was this a public school? This seems nuts to me. I was a K teacher and we practiced practiced practiced tying shoes. It’s all part of helping them become independent learners. By having them in Velcro it’s just prolonging the process.

DD’s second grade school supply list requests that shoes be Velcro rather than laces unless the student is exceptionally good at tying them on their own, so I’m not that surprised to see Velcro recommended in kindergarten. (I’m not saying by any stretch that kids that age definitely shouldn’t be able to tie shoes, but I’m not surprised to see that Velcro is preferred in kindergarten.)

[186momx]

No shoe tying help from our public schools. DD has always worn tie shoes as she has super skinny feet and we learn to tie shoes before K. Her teacher always love her as she ties other kids shoes too.

DD doesn't car about other kids shoes and prefers to wear fashion boots most of the year.

[steamboat185]

Aug 15, 2021 11:07:13 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Aug 15, 2021 9:22:52 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

When my older kid was in kindergarten they requested Velcro shoes as it was easier for the teachers.

Was this a public school? This seems nuts to me. I was a K teacher and we practiced practiced practiced tying shoes. It’s all part of helping them become independent learners. By having them in Velcro it’s just prolonging the process.

Yes our classrooms are 28-30 kids. Not sure who has time to tie 30 kids shoes, but I’m glad it worked for your class!
Edit this sounds far harsher than I intended.

[af1212]

Aug 15, 2021 16:25:17 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

Aug 15, 2021 11:07:13 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Was this a public school? This seems nuts to me. I was a K teacher and we practiced practiced practiced tying shoes. It’s all part of helping them become independent learners. By having them in Velcro it’s just prolonging the process.

Yes our classrooms are 28-30 kids. Not sure who has time to tie 30 kids shoes, but I’m glad it worked for your class!
Edit this sounds far harsher than I intended.

Wow I’m surprised by all of these K classes not allowing tying. Even up to 2nd grade!

I had between 25-28 kids in my class (public school). I didn’t tie 50 shoes a day. There was always one or two kids who could tie shoes in the beginning of the year. They would be “helpers”. Also I had a shoe tying center on the wall at their eye level. They were welcome to go over anytime during the day and practice. If they needed their shoe tied they would ask one of the shoe tying helpers to help them. I would work with the kids who were closest to being independent - I wouod tie one shoe and talk them through it, and they would tie the other one with my support.

We also kept slippers in the classroom and I encouraged them to take their shoes off and put their slippers on. More chances to put shoes on and off means more practice opportunities for tying.

I would say by December 85% of the class could tie shoes.

I never felt it was a burden or hassle, just part of helping them to become independent students. Same as zipping a jacket or snapping the lids on their lunchbox containers. Gotta learn sometime and why not do it in K.

I did have full day K. I can imagine things might have felt more rushed to me if it was half day program although that meant the kids would be somewhere else for the other half of the day where hopefully someone (parent or alternate program) would be helping them on some of these independence-building skills.

[mrshandy]

LOL my 11 year old still hasn't mastered tying shoes. I think my 8 eight year old will get it before him. Hopefully he will learn before college.

I get pretty all my shoes and kids shoes from DSW. They have a pretty good rewards program so the more I buy from them, the more I save.

[calico]

My kindergartner has Nikes with velco, ballet flats, sandals and bear paw boots. I just bought some slip ons too. I usually buy online from Target, Nordstrom/Rack, Zappos, and Kohl’s. I pick them but ask her if she likes them before buying and if she changes her mind or has fit issues I return them (she usually likes stuff though). I also pick out my 2Ger shoes but ask her opinion and she’s fine with it.

[hbomdiggity]

I have a 6yo boy. He only ever wears sneakers.

Usually have an everyday pair and a newer pair if he needs to look nice.

[pooh8402]

Aug 15, 2021 11:07:13 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Aug 15, 2021 9:22:52 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

When my older kid was in kindergarten they requested Velcro shoes as it was easier for the teachers.

Was this a public school? This seems nuts to me. I was a K teacher and we practiced practiced practiced tying shoes. It’s all part of helping them become independent learners. By having them in Velcro it’s just prolonging the process.

they didn't work on tying laces at all in K last year. so far, I've heard nothing one way or another re: laces vs velcro for 1st, but tomorrow is the first day of school, so maybe there will be something in the packet I'll get. I also don't remember learning this skill at school. Maybe after school daycare worked with me on it, in addition to my parents?

[isabel]

My kids own two pairs of shoes each - sneakers and a breathable summer shoe, which this year was Natives, but has previously been Keens sandles. So far, Keens sneakers are the least destructible I’ve found.

They also have snow boots, but those are just for snow days.

I feel like I don’t really understand the question, but I’m a clothing minimalist and have boys.

[sandandsea]

I let DS2 pick out his shoes for school. He chose Batman light up sneakers and Yoda canvas high tops. He’s thrilled about them and it makes mornings easier because he likes them. Not my first or tenth choice but 100% worth it.

My 9yo wears adidas and under armor sneakers and only prefers athletic clothing as well.

[niq]

We have had good luck with the Tsukihoshi line. We get two pairs at the start of the school year, and they last until the next year. We are still on velcro.

tsukihoshi.com/

[jewel]

My kid’s favorite shoes are Nike Flex pull ons. No laces or velcro, on and off in 2 seconds.

He’s in 1st grade. The teacher requested that they be sent with items they can use independently - shoes, jackets, pencil box, food packaging, etc.