When parents get their kids ready for school they think about school supplies – like uniforms and textbooks and backpacks – but they usually don’t think about shoes. Well-fitted shoes for kids can be extremely effective in supporting kids’ growing bodies and helping them achieve success at school.
Here are a couple of Reasons why finding the Right School Shoe for Your Child Is Important, and some things you can do as a parent to raise your child in a way that helps you make the correct choice when choosing your child’s school shoes.
1. Foot Development
One of the most important elements of choosing the correct school shoe for your child is promoting foot development. During early childhood, children’s feet grow rapidly and improperly fitted shoes can hinder the natural growth process of their feet. Shoes that fit too tightly to the child’s foot will frequently be the source of many foot injuries such as blisters, corns, ingrown toenails, bunions and hammertoes. Therefore, by choosing the properly sized shoe with plenty of room for the child’s feet to grow will help facilitate proper foot development.
2. Decreased Risk of Accidents
Shoes that do not fit properly will also affect how a child walks and this will cause the child to have an increased risk of being injured from accidents caused by sprains, falls, and other injuries. Shoes that fit too tightly or very loosely will affect the child’s centre of balance and will therefore put them at risk of slipping or tripping. When shoes are properly fitted, they can provide the child with increased stability, cushioning, and support; thus reducing the injury risk to the child’s foot and ankle.
3. Improving Comfort & Confidence
Picture yourself wearing shoes that pinch or rub against your feet all day long — for kids, this type of discomfort can lead to distraction and contribute to trouble focusing on school-related tasks. When Children have shoes that fit properly, they are more capable of being active throughout the day, whether they are participating in classroom activities or playing outside. The more comfortable kids are, the more likely they will stay focused on their work, participate in organized sports/recreational activities with confidence, and socialise with friends.
4. Eliminating Long Term Problems
Wearing ill-fitting shoes consistently can result in serious foot problems that will become an issue in the future. For example, wearing either poorly-fitting shoes or ill-fitting shoes can lead to deformities with the toenails developing grooves, causing joint pain, contributing to developing arthritis or issues with body carrying solidity (musculature) as they grow. Making sure that children are wearing the correct shoe size today (fits correctly) will reduce the potential for long term health problems and support healthy foot growth.
The Best Tips for Finding the Right Fit
Measure Feet Regularly: Because Children’s feet have rapid growth rates, make sure to measure your child’s feet every 3-6 for proper shoe size.
Check Length & Width: Always ensure there is approximately one thumb’s width gap at the front of the shoe between the longest toe and the shoe.
Choose Adjustable Closures for Shoes:
The following are tips for finding the perfect shoe fit for the child:
1. Measure your child’s feet every three to six months to ensure they still fit into their current size of shoes as kids grow so much!
2. Make sure there is about a thumb width of room between your kid’s longest toe and the front of the shoe.
3. Either buy shoes with laces that can be tightened up for a better fit or look for Velcro shoes that allow you to adjust how tightly the strap is so you can find an even better shoe fit each time your kid puts them on.
When a child needs to see a podiatrist:
Even though it’s essential that you keep your kid’s toes measured often and checked for good shoe fit every few months, there are some times that it’s necessary to see a podiatrist because of specific signs that may indicate that your child has an issue with their foot or legs that needs to be addressed by a medical professional:
* Recurring pain – If your kid complains about pain in their feet, ankles, knees, or legs after playing sports or when they get up in the morning then you really should visit a podiatrist as the pain could indicate shin splint and need some assistance from a professional.
* Irregular gait – If your child has an irregular walking pattern (such as clinically diagnosed toe, in-toed or multiple episodes of falling/tripping).
* Skin or toenail problems (like having an ingrown toenail, plantar wart, and/or fungal toe infection) should all warrant a visit to a podiatrist.
* Sports-related injuries – Even if there were no obvious signs of injury at first, making an appointment with a podiatrist can sometimes prevent further damage before a physical examination is done.
Taking your child to see a Podiatrist early will help identify and address any potential foot issues, such as flat feet, alignment problems, etc., before they become long-term complications.
Signs That It’s Time To Buy New Shoes For Your Child
Children’s feet grow very quickly, and often their shoes wear out even faster than they grow. Here are some signs that it’s time for your child to have new shoes.
Visible Damage. Holes in the shoe. Worn-off soles. Stitches that are coming loose.
Children usually experience growth spurts and it can cause their shoes to fit tightly or leave red marks around the feet.
Foot Pain: If your child is complaining about soreness or discomfort (like toes or heels), it could indicate that they need a larger size.
Changes in Activity: Children’s sports shoes are typically made to resist wear longer than regular shoes; therefore, they should be replaced more often than other types of shoes.
What To Expect At Your Child’s First Podiatrist Visit
Usually, your child’s first visit to a podiatrist will be a very low-stress occasion, and will educate you on the characteristics of the child’s feet, gait, and posture, and assist you in identifying any abnormalities such as flat feet or issues related to walking. They will give recommendations for the proper type of shoe to support healthy growth and development of the foot. They may also provide recommendations for treatment options such as orthotics, exercises, or nail care (to be addressed in the future).
In Conclusion
To sum it up, properly fitted footwear is important for proper fit and support during childhood. Taking your child in for regular foot measurements and proper fit checks as well as having him or her evaluated by an expert can help ensure that he or she is ready to succeed in school, sports and throughout their life.