Finding the right shoes for your child can be quite a struggle especially with the majority of shopping being online these days. There are only a handful of brick and mortar stores left that stock children’s shoes and inventory is limited especially for the little ones. Plus kids seem outgrow everything in the blink of an eye!
Growing feet need to be protected and supported to promote healthy development. Their shoes should match their stage of development as they learn to walk, run and explore the world around them.
Babies/Crawlers
Crawler do not need shoes. Just socks or booties to keep their feet warm.
Pre-Walkers/Early Walkers/Toddlers
During this stage of development, early walkers develop fine motor skills, balance and proprioception to help the brain coordinate movement. A toddler’s feet can grow a half size every 2-3 months so be careful to keep up. Pre-walkers need flexible light-weight shoes that help them sense the ground beneath them.
School-Age Children
Shoe fit is important for school-age children. Check for areas of irritation. Make sure their heels are not slipping out. Shoes should be roomy enough to allow your child to wiggle their toes but not so large that their feet slide forward. Shoes should be comfortable from the start, avoid shoes that require a ‘break-in’ period. As your child wears their shoes monitor the heels for wear; uneven heel wear can indicate a foot problem that should be checked by a podiatrist.
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