ADVICE RATING |
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Little people's growing feet and the importance of properly fitted shoes |
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by ziggysmum  (April 2007) (rank 500+) |
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I wrote this awhile ago and wanted to put it up here in the advice because i think...sorry make that know that its very important and there are a lot of newer people that would not have read this
were also about to go into a new season which
is when most new shoes are bought so here goes
some more tips
hi
iv worked with kids feet for the past 7 years and there's a couple of things id like to add to the above if thats ok
up until 3 years on average toddlers feet grow half a size every three months boys sometimes don't slow down till 3.5 years
the width is AS important as the length but too wide is just as bad to narrow (almost) as the toes need to curl up to grip the inside of the shoe
if you're measuring you're childs foot against the outside of the shoe you need to allow at least a thumbs width at the heel as well as the front as the heel counter of a shoe is never the very end of the shoe but you will never get a good fit this way its always better to put the shoe on the foot
yes its best to go bare foot on uneven textured surfaces ie sand,grass,dirt etc but its not ideal to be going bare foot all the time on concrete floor boards and other hard flat surfaces, developing feet can be offered more support in a well made properly structured shoe that is moulded on the inside and fitted properly
new shoes worn without socks will almost always leave red marks especially if there leather its recommended that any child under 5/6 wear new shoes including sandles (such a good look) with socks for 3-5 days even if its only for a couple of hours around the house each day it will save there little feet and make the shoe more comfy children under 3 should always wear a sock for the first few days no matter what
if the shoes will be worn with socks (sport,school) have them fitted with socks, if they will be worn with out socks have them fitted without(then break them in with)]
crocs are ugly ..but god there good they are so comfy and well desinged that they even support little feet that roll in(pronate)
in summer shoes you should always be able to fit the tips of both little fingers along the instep(upper part of the foot) because on a hot day a childs foot will swell up to 10% it also allows room for natural growth forward without restricting the foot
hope its helpful
if anyone has any questions about what iv written im more than happy to answer or explain
