Choosing shoes that fit your child

Those shoes were made for walking…

If you’ve already begun the annual back-to-school shopping expedition with your child, you’ll likely be purchasing school shoes. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), it’s vital to make your child has properly fitting shoes that offer both protection and comfort.

“The primary purpose of shoes is to protect your feet and prevent injury but in order to do so, they must fit well,” says Carol C Frey, MD, orthopedic surgeon and spokesperson for the Academy. “Shoes that don’t fit well – that are too narrow, too short or too large – can cause discomfort or injury in some cases.”

It’s important for parents to make sure their children’s shoes offer quality construction and a good fit. Because children, like many adults, may sacrifice fit for style, Dr Frey says parents always need to check that shoes fit properly. She explains that parents should look for shoes that conform to the shape of their child’s foot, fit well in the heel and allow plenty of room for the toes to move. “Foot comfort is essential to maintaining stability, mobility and safety.”

In order to prevent injuries, the AAOS offers the following helpful tips on buying properly fitting shoes for children…

• Measure each foot every time shoes are purchased. Children’s feet are constantly growing and shoes that fit a child last school year may not fit this year. Have your child stand and place his or her full weight on the feet while being measured, to ensure accuracy.
• If his feet differ in size, choose the shoe that fits the larger foot. Pads can be added to shoes so that the smaller foot fits well.
• Look for a soft, pliable shoe with enough length in the area surrounding the toe for growth and wide enough for the toes to wiggle. There should be a thumb’s width of space between the toes and the front of the shoe.
• The shoe should fit snugly at the heel and instep, and be wide enough to prevent rubbing or squashing from side to side, and deep enough so your child’s toes don’t push against the upper section of the shoe.
• The shoe should bend at the ball of the foot, not in the middle of the foot.
• Don’t let a child sacrifice fit for fashion by buying tight shoes. There is no ‘break-in’ period, and a tight shoe can damage the foot.
• Sizes may vary among brands and styles. Have the child walk around in both shoes- wearing normal socks – prior to purchasing.
• Feel inside the shoes for rough spots, glue, staples or anything that can cause irritation.
• If your child slips out of a shoe, it may be the width and not the length that is incorrect.
• For teens insisting on wearing a higher heel or platform shoe, a one-and-a-half to two-inch chunky heel with padded insoles and plenty of room for the toes to move is the best choice. Limit the amount of time they wear higher heels, and have them alternate with good quality flat-heeled shoes for part of the day.

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