Why should parents worry about their child’s shoes?

Parents so often worry about their children’s teeth, eyes, and most other parts of the body, but do not worry so much over the developing foot. As many adult foot problems can have their origins in childhood, attention to children footwear can minimize the risk of these problems in adults.

 

Poorly fitting children’s shoes can cause a number of problems in adults such as hammer toes, ingrown toenails, foot corns, calluses and bunions.  Given the high level of pain and discomfort that these problems can cause, it is obviously logical to attempt to prevent these problems by ensuring that the child’s shoe is fitted appropriately.  Foot problems in children are usually preventable.

Advice for the fitting of a child’s footwear:

* Children should have their feet measured about every 3 months (thus ensuring the need for new shoes as required).

* Generally, for  kid’s shoes to be correctly fitted, there should be a thumb width between the end of the shoe and the end of the longest toe.

* When looking at the bottom (sole) of the shoe, it should be relatively straight (not curved in too much) – the foot is straight, so the shoe should be straight.

* The fastening mechanism (laces, velcro, buckles) should hold the heel firmly in the back of the shoe (the foot should not be able to slide forward in the shoe).

* the heel counter (back part of the shoe) should be strong and stable.

* the shoe should be flexible across the ball of the foot, as this is where the foot bends. The shoe should not bend where the foot does not bend (ie in the arch area).

* Leather and canvas are a better material – they are more durable and can breathe. Synthetic materials do not breathe as well, unless they are of the ‘open weave’ type. Avoid plastics.

* Check that the shoes have rounded toe boxes to give the toes more room to move.

* Shoes should not need to be “broken in”. If they do, they are either poorly designed or poorly fitted.

* An absorbent insole is helpful, as the foot can sweat a lot – children are very active!

* A number of children’s retail shoe stores specialize in footwear for the child – use them!

Choosing Shoes for Children

·         Children’s shoes should have laces, velcro or some other fastening system. As a general rule, avoid backless or slip-on shoes for kids.

·         Look for kids shoes made from breathable materials, such such as canvas or leather. In addition to being more durable, they will help to keep the child’s foot cooler and dryer, helping to prevent blisters, discomfort, and smelly shoes.

·         While they may look cute, always avoid heels on childrens shoes. Not only is it difficult for kids to walk in heels, they are particularly bad for proper foot development. When it comes to children’s shoes, stick with flats and even soles.

·         Look for a pattern or textured sole, as this will provide traction and help prevent your child from easily slipping on slick surfaces.

·         Soles should be sturdy and thick enough to protect the feet from pain and injury, but the sole also needs to be flexible too so that it will bend with the foot.

·         Once you’ve found shoes that fit and are appropriately designed for a child’s feet, allow your children some input as to which shoes they prefer. It’s bound to make for a better shopping experience if they get to choose a color or design they like from shoes that fit well and are appropriate for growing feet.

Getting the Right Fit in Kids’ Shoes

 

 

·    Have your children’s feet measured when buying kid’s shoes, since what might seem comfortable to them for a minute or two in the store is very different from what will be comfortable after a day of playing. Feet should be measured while standing, and always have both feet measured. Since one foot is usually larger than the other, buy shoes to accommodate the larger of the two feet.

·     When your child is wearing the shoes, and their feet are fully extended (watch for toe crunching!), there should be a bit of room between the edge of the shoe toe and the edge of your child’s toes – about a half inch.

·     With the rate children outgrow shoes, it’s probably tempting to buy shoes that are too big, but you should never buy children shoes that are more than one size too large for your child. Kid’s shoes that are too big can cause a child to trip and develop foot problems while trying to walk in shoes that are too large.

·    Obviously a shoe that has too tight of a heel will cause discomfort, but having shoes that are too loose is also very problematic. The heel of the shoes should rest snugly but not tightly around your the back of the child’s heel.

·    As adults, we often say we’re “breaking in” a pair of shoes – this is really a bad idea for anyone, but particularly for kids. Shoes need to be immediately comfortable – don’t allow for a breaking in period or expect shoes to get more comfortable over time – they need to fit and feel good now.

Child wide width shoes

In the past two decades, physicians around the globe have found that many issues with feet problems in adults are due to wearing tight narrow shoes. This can begin at childhood if your parents purchased too narrow a shoe for your feet. The act of wearing narrow shoes as a child is the beginning of a process. The bodies of children tend to adapt more easily than those of the parent. If your child is raised wearing narrow shoes, then more chances than not, they will adapt to it and not feel comfortable in anything but narrow shoes for the rest of their lives.

Not purchasing wide width children shoes when the child measures for a wide width shoe can cause a number of medical issues later in life. One of the more common is that of Hallux Valgus, also known as Bunion Deformity. This is actually a deformation of the angle of the big toe over a long period of time. Surgery is usually the only option available.

Another fairly common issue is that of Bunionettes. This malady is, in clinical terms, a varus deviation of the toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint. This causes extreme tenderness. The most distressing issue with Bunionettes is that at least fifty percent of the time, surgery is not successful.

Among other possible ailments caused by narrow tight fitting children shoes are Hammer Toes and Claws, and Neuromas, a condition also known as Perineural Fibrosis. These can all be prevented by the simple act of making sure that your child is not wearing tight shoes. Save your child years of pain and medical bills in the future. If you child measures for a wide width shoe, by wide children shoes for that child.

Why Should Children Be Encouraged To Play Soccer?

In today’s media we are constantly being reminded of a health time bomb that is about to explode as children today are not active enough.

There are so many competing distractions for our children’s attention, video games, endless channels to watch, these can all lead to sedentary lifestyle if they are not kept in check.

Soccer is a beautiful game, played by millions of young girls and boys (aged 6 to 18) across many continents, whether it’s on the beaches of Rio, the back alleys of a major city nearby or the local park, you will find someone kicking a football around.

In today’s society there has been a shift to more organized soccer practice for our youth players. Gone are the days of jumpers for goal posts, as streets are littered with cars and grass verges now have houses built on them.

Having a more structured approach is both a good and a bad thing; on one hand young players get structured development and education through willing volunteers who show them how everything from how to warm up correctly, develop their technical ability with the ball right through to skill development and organized small sided games to wrap everything up together to provide a total learning experience.

Today time is limited and therefore there may be only an hour or two devoted to structured soccer practice during the week, what happens when practice is over?

Getting your child to participate in an organized soccer school or club can bring tremendous benefits to you and your child.

Soccer can help increase your child’s self esteem, which feeds their self talk which ultimately drives their performance. But soccer isn’t the only winner, quite often it can be seen that academic performance can increases to!

Studies have shown that getting young children involved in soccer at an early stage promotes a real healthy attitude towards the game and this attitude continues with them into adult life.

The number one reason why children play soccer is to have fun; if soccer is fun and enjoyable then players will want to continue playing. This benefits their overall fitness and reduces their health risks considerably.

Soccer is made fun by coaches worldwide who willingly give up their time voluntarily to organise youth soccer practice and coach teams.

Gone are the days when soccer, for the really young players, was an 11 a side game with offside rules and no touches of the ball for massive periods of the game.

Youth soccer from the age of 6 to 11 is typically about having fun, playing small sided matches such as 4 v 4 with no goal keepers, promoting lots of touches of the ball and player interaction on the pitch.

Through playing soccer and encouraging children to take regular exercise many of the risk factors that are associated with heart disease such as obesity and diabetes can be reduced significantly. It is stated that childhood obesity has increased by more than 50% since 1976, which is a really scary fact.

Getting your child involved in soccer doesn’t just improve their health. We’ve mentioned already the improvements at school.

Social benefits, such as mixing with others, having to work as a team, contributing through individual effort to a collective goal, experiencing the highs and lows, picking each other up, competition, striving to be the best, aiming to win and supporting and helping others are all by products of playing soccer.

Many of the life skills that the players learn through soccer are beneficial in later life, how to form and build relationships, developing a sense of co-operation, how to lead people, how to handle adversity, what commitment means and punctuality, are all key qualities that will benefit the players in adult life.

Kid’s Footwear

Kids need so many basics. One of these basics is kid’s shoes. It’s amazing how quickly kids grow out of and wear out their shoes. From sandals to cleats, there are a lot of different kinds of shoes for children. Each child’s needs are different and many times, it depends on the needs of the parent as well.

One basic child footwear item is children sneakers. In the cooler months and when running and playing, sneakers are a must. When purchasing children tennis shoes, it is important to keep in mind the fit and the durability. Kids sure are hard on their shoes, so consider spending more money in order to acquire a quality shoe that will last longer.

When summer rolls around, another item of need is children sandals. Whether at the park or just chilling at home, child sandals will provide your little one freedom from the heat. When shopping for kids sandals, it is important to look for quality. Little feet need sandals that offer support and fit properly. It is also important to find sandals that will last the entire summer.

In addition to the traditional kid’s footwear, you may need to purchase specialty shoes like child soccer shoes or girl ballet slippers. As your child explores the world and all it has to offer, it is important to find specialty kid’s footwear that fits well and will perform its desired duties for as long as the child is able to wear them.  Look for quality to find a shoe that will withstand all your child throws its way.

What you should know about children’s shoes

Buying children’s shoes is a more important mission than you thought. Buying the right shoes now can prevent many foot health problems later in your child’s life. Let your child be barefoot as much as possible and follow these tips in this children’s shoe guide when purchasing children shoes:

INFANTS

WHEN: Infant shoes are not necessary until the infant is standing up. Occasionally, wearing some sort of foot cover doesn’t hurt, but it is recommended that the baby isn’t even wrapped in a tight blanket that might restrict wiggling toes.

WHY: The more they can wiggle their toes, the better for future foot health. The foot and toe muscles need to become developed and the toe movement should not be restricted.

WHAT: When you see a baby bend those toes down, and spread toes up, like they do, think “great, we are on the way to happy healthy feet”.

Try cute infant socks instead, and get a pair of special shoes just for special occasions and outings. But remember with socks too – don’t use too small ones, keep them toes wiggling!

TODDLERS

WHEN: Pre-walking shoes should only be bought for occasional fun wearing, not for every day use. From a parenting point of view it is good to have the babies used to shoes, but the pediatricians recommend that the time to buy the first pair of baby shoes isn’t until your child starts taking the first steps.

WHY: The feet are still developing and need all the exercise they can get. Even for first-walkers it’s still best to let the child to use shoes only outdoors, and when indoors, let the muscles get a better workout without the shoes.

WHAT: Get your child’s feet measured and purchase shoes that fit well. Look for shoes that are flexible, roomy, and simply made. Leather, or canvas are the best materials, anything that breathes.

The sole flexibility is important for healthy foot development, and you can test it by bending the heel and the toe towards each others. The arch of the shoe needs to be flexible, not stiff and preventing bending feet. The shape of the toe should be rounded.

Tip: Invest on a good pair of leather baby shoes and stay away from strappy plastic sandals, the pointed toe cowboy-boots are a big no-no! Canvas shoes are a great second choice, as long as they offer enough wiggle room for toes, and have flexible rubber soles.  

KIDS OVER 3

WHEN: Check how your child’s shoes fit Monthly.

WHY: Kids grow in spurts, sometimes shoes might get too small in a month, at other times they can last even 9 months. The shoes should have a little bit wiggle room, and not too tight.

WHAT: When purchasing kid shoes, try if you can fit your thumb inside the shoes, behind your child’s foot – if your thumb can fit there nice and snug, the size is right.

Tip: Don’t look at the price tag on kids shoes, and don’t use hand-me-downs. Choose kids shoes that fit and support the healthy growing of your child’s feet. Rather buy one good pair than two poor ones. 

TODDLERS DO NOT NEED ARCH SUPPORT
Arch support = the bulge in the inner sole

WHEN: Never say never, but at least most children under 3 do not need arch support. Loud and bold truth.

WHY: Most babies seem to have flat feet, but it’s only because they have baby fat, and the fat covers the natural arch. The arch (the curve in the foot) will develop later, and by buying shoes that already have the arch support inside the shoe (you can find it in the inside sole, it’s the elevation of the bottom), will just prevent the arch from developing! Most children naturally have flat feet until they are over three years old, and it’s nothing to worry about.

 

Choosing the Right Boys Shoes for School

Depending on the boy in question, the school he attends, and the events he takes place in, grade school boys may need several pairs of shoes to get through the school year. While many kids want to spend every waking moment in sneakers, practically speaking, he may need other shoes as well. The trick is in finding shoes you’ll both like. These tips will help.

Sneakers and Athletic Shoes

Selecting a pair of boys sneakers for your grade school boy will probably be one of the easiest decisions you’ll have to make. Let your child’s personality and activities dictate whether you go for a more rugged, heavily padded sneaker, or one that can double as a casual shoe, and ask him what colors and styles other kids are wearing. Depending on the school your child attends, he may need a pair of boys sneakers devoted exclusively to gym class or PE days.

 

Casual Shoes for Boys

 

Casual shoes for grade school boys tend to land somewhere between a boot and a sneaker — which is cool, because that’s probably the look he’ll want. Look for a boys school shoe that is sturdy enough to allow for rough play, but a bit dressier than a sneaker. These types of shoes will give a nice, relaxed look without being too sloppy

 

Dress Shoes for Boys

When it comes to kids in grade school, the best bet for very dressy boys shoes is saving them for very special occasions. For the best fit, buy close to the occasion – or check the ones you have often to be certain they’ll fit in case a “dress up emergency” arises. As a general rule, the shinier the shoe, the more dressy it will appear – but if scuffs are a concern, suede is a great choice for dress shoes as well. If keeping laces tied proves to be a task, opt for a slip on loafer.

What puts stride rite® above the rest: fit, lab and test

Stride Rite shoes are not like any other children’s shoes you will ever buy. They’re better. Stride Rite has designed and built children’s shoes for over 80 years. Along the way, they have learned a few things about their craft.

 

First and foremost, shoes must be tough enough to stand up to the rumble-tumble ways of active kids.  That’s why they put all stride rite shoes through rigorous testing well before they even think about putting them on a child’s feet.  The Stride Rite difference includes:

 

1. Stride Rite shoes come with a great fit from a relentless commitment to checking every step of the way. Their 5-stage fit testing process ensures that every shoe is a perfect fit. Each style is put through approximately 50 fittings at various stages of development before it hits the selling floor.

 

2. Stride Rite shoes consistently outlast the competition because they know the only way to construct shoes for kids are to test shoes on kids.  Before shoes hit the shelf, they send them out in the field for 30-45 days of reality testing by the real shoes experts: the kids who wear them.

 

3. Stride Rite is committed to creating the safest, best performing products for kids.  Rigorous lab tests make sure each new material and component used meets strict stride rite standards. They perform 30-40 tests on each new shoe style to guarantee that it will withstand a kid’s active lifestyle.

 

Creating shoes that fit a kid’s active lifestyle also includes making it fashionable and Stride Rite has accomplished that, a shoe that it not only good for a child’s foot but also a shoe that is a fashion forward. They are beautifully crafted with trend right color ways, key textiles such as flexible cork wedges or reptile inspired outsoles and designer details. It is premium styling loved by moms including celebrity moms who find stride rite shoes their favorite. Their high quality footwear allows the brand to maintain its status as the leader in children’s

Footwear. The proof is in the product. Year after year, Stride Rite continues to deliver high quality products that consumers demand. This commitment has yielded business results that are the envy of the industry.

How In The World Do I Choose The Right Shoes for my Child?

In the world we live in today we are overwhelmed by choices. If we go to a drive through hamburger place we have about 20 choices to make and that’s just for the sandwich! Then you have to decide on fries or onion rings, what kind of drink, and do you want to biggie size or super size that? With the way our society has become accustomed to having so many choices in everything it is no surprise that shoes are the same way.For those of you who believe children shoes are children shoes, I am sorry to tell you, you are mistaken. The comfort and support that the shoe offers is of vital importance to the health of your child’s feet now and in the future. As a matter of fact, wearing improper shoes can cause way more problems then just sore toes. Wearing a shoe that does not support or that is the wrong size can cause back pain and even spinal injury latter in your child’s life. How is that for a wake up call?  

Having a shoe that fits properly doesn’t mean that you have to go with a shoe that is ugly. As I was indicating earlier here are many choices for children’s shoes in department stores, malls, children shoe stores and online where you have access to thousands of shoes right from your own home. If you are buying online, be sure that they have a liberal return policy because trying on the shoe is important. Making sure the your child’s toes are not too tight but that the back fits properly. Is there support for the arch? If you need to use the shoe for specific reasons, you will need a specific shoe. For example, well made, sturdy hiking boots are necessary when hiking.

 

Take the time to find the right shoe for your child so that not only will their feet be more comfortable, but it will keep you safe and secure. Most shoe manufacturers make shoes that are designed to keep children safe while providing for comfort and style as well. Just be sure to take your time though, don’t be cajoled into buying shoes that just don’t fit right. Remember that an improperly fitted shoe can cause you pain and injury in your entire body. As long as you take that into consideration, you will be able to find many choices in shoes for your child, especially online!