Shoes are a piece of clothing that supports the orthopedic development of the child and must be chosen correctly. A toddler whose body is changing and growing rapidly will need shoes that will keep their steps steady on the ground as they begin to walk.
The decision to rush into shoes really depends on seasonal and external factors. If the first steps coincide with the summer period, it can be interesting to spend time barefoot and in socks. If it coincides with the winter period, the foot must be protected from the weather. At this point, the purchased shoes do not need to be worn all the time. It is recommended that the baby wear shoes when going outside, when the feet need protection from environmental factors.
What should be children’s shoes?
Children’s shoes.
image source: freepik.com
- Shoes must be the right size.
To be able to choose the right size, shoes should be bought not early in the morning, as in adults, but in the evening, when water accumulates in the feet.
Keep in mind that children’s feet grow two sizes each year. That is why it is very important to check every three months that the shoes you buy are not small and have enough space for the development of the foot.
Checking the length: Press the front of the shoe to check the distance between your child’s thumb and toe. Your child’s toe should not be pulled back or too far from the toe of the shoe. Choose shoes that are at least half a size larger than your child’s foot, leaving room to accommodate a growing foot. This distance will be adapted to the development and movement of the toes.
Width check: While the child is dressed, determine the position of the toes by pressing down on the sides of the shoe with your hand.
Heel Test: Grab the child’s ankle and move their foot up and down in the shoe. If your child’s feet move freely but the shoes won’t come off, you’ve picked the perfect size shoes. If the foot does not move at all in the shoe, or slips out of the shoe while moving, that shoe is the wrong size choice.
- Other details:
Before focusing on color, model and brand, it would be fair to focus on the basics. Our goal should be to find a product that will not affect the development of our child’s foot and that they can wear easily.
The father takes his daughter to school.
image source: freepik.com
Make sure the sole of your foot is flat and non-slip. Shoes with very hard soles that do not conform to the shape of the foot limit the child’s mobility and cause damage to the skeletal and muscular systems. The toe of the shoe for the first step should be able to bend at least 40 degrees. For this reason, when buying shoes, you have to bend down and look at their flexibility.
You should pay attention to the material from which the shoes are made. You can choose comfortable models with a leather hood. In summer, you can also favor models in organic knit, cotton or canvas. Hard leather and synthetic materials should be avoided. You should avoid materials such as rubber and plastic that will prevent your child’s feet from breathing, sweating or damaging them. It will be more profitable to choose shoes that provide air circulation. Serious problems such as fungus and bad odors occur on leaky feet.
Flexible and light models with a lower base that does not interfere with mobility and support natural movements are suitable. It will be more difficult for a child to walk in heavy shoes. That’s why you should choose lightweight shoes to avoid unnecessary strain.You can choose between lace-up or velcro models with adjustable lace features. You can buy models that are not rigid but can provide protection and support. does not contain pearls or various aesthetic elements that your child can easily tear off due to the risk of swallowing the shoe model he is buying.
Even if you have purchased a shoe that meets all of these characteristics, if your child is not satisfied with the current shoe, it is important to change the model.
See also: We Write Beautifully: Exercises for Children’s Handwriting Accuracy.
