Children spend a large portion of their week in their school shoes, so it’s essential that they fit properly. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to problems in adulthood, such as ingrown toenails, corns and bunions so it’s vital that children are wearing the right shoes.
 
Follow these tips to help make the right choice:
 
Make sure both feet are measured
When shopping for your child’s shoes, make sure that the shop assistant measures both feet. Most children will have one foot that is longer or wider so it’s vital to check both feet. Don’t buy shoes that are too big as they could cause your child to trip or fall.
 
School shoe checklist
When fitting your child with new school shoes, there are some vital points to remember:
  • There should be a space roughly the width of a thumb between the end of the shoe and the end of the longest toe.
  • The widest part of the foot should match the widest part of the shoe.
  • The fastening mechanism should hold the heel firmly in the back of the shoe.
  • The sole shouldn’t twist.
  • The heel should be snug but not too tight and the back part of the shoe should be strong and resilient.
Kids’ feet are individual
Your children's feet are still growing and the bones are still developing. Around half of children have flat feet, so shoes need to be stable and provide good cushioning and support.
 
Check for the toe wiggle
If you're not sure whether new school shoes fit correctly, ask your child to wiggle their toes. The shoes shouldn’t hurt and there shouldn’t be any bulges from the toes on either side of them.
 
Shoes will often last a school year
After the age of three your child’s feet grow about half a size every six months, meaning that school shoes usually last about nine months to a year. However, if your child has a growth spurt, their feet may shoot up in size too so make sure to have them measured.
 
Quality shoes last longer
Buying better quality shoes might actually save you money, as they won't wear down so easily and need to be replaced during the school year. Good shoes will have rubber soles and double stitching around the toe area.
 
Avoid slip-on shoes and hand-me-downs
School shoes are one thing you should never buy second-hand online, or at garage sales, as a shoe that has already been worn will have moulded to the shape of the previous wearer’s foot and wearing second hand shoes could cause problems for your child’s feet. Slip on shoes are also not a good idea so opt for lace-up, velcro or buckle up shoes.
 
Other things to look out for:
  • Children complaining of pain in the feet, heel, knee or legs
  • Unexplained tripping and falling (if it happens regularly)
  • Uneven shoe wear, or one shoe that wears down before the other
  • Skin or toenail irritation

Latest

Trending