Tips on Buying your child’s first pair of walking shoes

•  Choose an infant sneaker or other breathable, lightweight upper (canvas, cloth, or soft leather) for your first infant shoe instead of the old-fashioned stiff leather shoes we used to bronze. Avoid synthetic uppers, which can cause feet to sweat.•  Look at the outsoles. They should be flexible and gripping, not smooth and stiff. A nonskid rubber sole with ridges will offer good traction.

•  You don’t need to buy high-tops for support, but they do stay on better!

•  To check for fit, have your child stand up. There should be just enough room to squeeze your pinky between her heel and the shoe, and the full width of your thumb should fit between the end of her toe and the tip of the shoe. That’ll give her some wriggle room.

•  Grab a bit of the material on top of her foot (if the upper is soft enough). If you can’t grasp any, the shoe might be too tight at the ball of the foot.

•  Don’t expect your child to “break in” a pair of toddler shoes. Let her toddle around the store for a while, then take the shoe off and check her foot for any irritated spots.

•  Make sure any laces are long enough to double knot (or buy a longer replacement pair while you’re at the shoe store).

•  Some parents love the ease of Velcro fasteners. But others point out that once kids figure out how easy it is to undo the Velcro, the shoes may be off more often than on. Plus, you may hear that ripping sound of the Velcro opening just when you don’t want to hear it — at religious services, for example.

 

What are Seamless Socks?

Seamless Socks are socks that contain no seams that rub against the toes of sock-wearers. Seamless socks come in many styles, colors and sizes. In essence, seamless socks are socks that have comfort in mind.

How do Seamless Socks Differ from Normal Socks?

Seamless socks are truly the most comfortable socks. One advantage seamless socks have over other socks in terms of comfort is seamless socks often include handlinked knitted toes for a seamless feel.

Seamless socks reduce the chances of creating pressure points and itchy seams when wearing socks inside shoes. That means, seamless socks will likely reduce the level of irritation for wearers.

Traditional socks have a tendency to bunch of up or wrinkle, but seamless socks won’t.

Who Benefits from Seamless Socks

Everyone can benefit from wearing seamless socks! If you want comfort and style, these socks are for you.

People with tactile defensiveness or sensitive skin, diabetics and people with varicose veins often seek out seamless socks because these socks reduce foot irratibility.

When will my child need their first pair of infant shoes?

Once your child takes her first momentous steps, she’s ready for her first pair of infant shoes. Until then, she’ll just need some socks or booties to keep her tootsies warm when it’s cold.

In fact, even after your child’s racing around, it’s a good idea to let her go barefoot whenever it’s safe. She’ll enjoy the sensation of various surfaces (soft sand, lush carpet, cool tile) beneath her feet, and a barefoot base will help her build strength and coordination in her legs and feet, too. For places where she’ll need protection, though (outdoors or on a splintery surface, for example), get her a pair of comfy toddler shoes that will aid her walking efforts.

 

Stride Rite, a children’s shoe manufacturer for over 85 years, has designed a whole series of infant shoes specifically for your child’s first months of walking.  This series of shoes, termed Stage 3 by Stride Rite, features their ultra-comfortable Natural Motion System™, designed to mimic barefoot walking and to give babies the flexible stride path and natural propulsion they need to grow into strong walkers. A center stride path of soft rubber helps disperse pressure evenly across the entire foot as babies take those tentative first steps.

 

For more information on stage 3 walking shoes by Stride Rite, visit our web site, Tootsies Stride Rite, at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com

 

 

 

 

Stride Rite Infant Shoes and Toddler Shoes

For over 85 years, Stride Rite has been designing and manufacturing shoes specifically to meet the needs of children, and over that time period we have become the premium children’s footwear company in the United States.

 

Stride Rite shoes are not like other children’s shoes, they are better.  First and foremost, our toddler shoes must be tough enough to withstand the rough and tumble lifestyle of active young kids.  That is why we put our infant shoes through rigorous testing:

 

     1.    Our fit test -5 stages of fit testing on kids to ensure that perfect fit.

     2.    Our wear test –Between 30 to 45 days of kid testing to ensure that our shoes wear better than you expect.

     3.    Lab testing – Rigorous lab testing to ensure that each new material and component meets Stride Rite standards.  We perform 30 to 40 tests per shoe.

 

   Stride Rite’s motto is simply “Life’s waiting, Let’s go.”

It all starts with our infant shoe line.  These toddler shoes have been specifically engineered to give your young childa perfect heel to toe glide path, easy to walk in with flex zones, almost like walking in bare-feet, and extra padding in critical pressure point areas to protect your young childs feet.  Stage 3 walking shoes by Stride Rite, the first name in children’s footwear.  Available at Tootsies Stride Rite.  Visit us online at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com  or call us at 1-866-235-0626.

Toddler boys saddle shoes, a classic that never goes out of style

Since 1917, the Willit Shoe Company has been manufacturing and distributing children shoes in the United States.  Based in Halifax, Pennsylvania, Willit’s Shoe Company gained a solid reputation for high quality all-leather footwear. That reputation and original dedication to detail, quality and service was responsible for the company’s growth over the years.

 

Willits is a Children’s Footwear Supplier offering traditional children’s shoe styles that range in sizes from Infants child size 12.  One of their product lines is the classic toddler boy’s saddle shoe, available in various color combinations, including the child white/black saddle shoe, white/navy saddle shoe, white/ecru saddle shoe and the brown/brown saddle shoe. In addition, Willits manufactures a boys white dress shoe, their white saddle oxford, a boy’s shoe that is ideal for weddings and holidays.

 

 All Willit child saddle shoes are constructed with matching saddle stitch featuring a full-grain leather upper, leather lining and flexible slab outsole.  They are available in sizes toddler 5 through child 12 in medium, wide and extra-wide widths.   .

 

Tootsies Stride Rite of Richmond, Virginia, has been marketing the Willit classic child saddle shoe since 1985 in its retail store, and since 2002 through its online store, Tootsies Stride Rite at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com  We offer fitting recommendations on this product based on over 23 years of fitting experience. 

Stride Rite Stage 3 Baby Shoes

Stride Rite, the first name in baby walking shoes, has designed a whole line of toddler shoes around its stage 3 technology.  Included in this series of shoes includes Stride Rite’s traditional baby white shoes, Stride Rite toddler boy sneakers and toddler girl sneakers,  toddler boy dress shoes, toddler girl dress shoes, and toddler sandals.

 

Stride Rite baby shoes, enhanced with their ultra-comfortable Natural Motion System™, Stage 3 is designed to mimic barefoot walking and to give babies the flexible stride path and natural propulsion they need to grow into strong walkers. A center stride path of soft rubber helps disperse pressure evenly across the entire foot as babies take those tentative first steps. 

 

These Stride Rite shoes are constructed to fit babies in sizes toddler 4 through toddler 7, and are available at Tootsies Stride Rite in Midlothian, Virginia, or Tootsies Online shoe store, Tootsies Stride Rite, at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com

Select the right baby shoes for growing feet

When selecting children’s shoes, you should worry less about fashion and more about which shoes will provide the best protection and support for their growing feet.

Here are things to keep in mind when choosing your first pair of toddler shoes, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

• Children don’t need to wear shoes until they begin to walk — at about 12 months to 15 months of age.
• Choose shoes with a soft, flexible sole, such as toddler sneakers or baby shoes from a baby shoe company like Stride Rite.
• Look for baby shoes that are wide enough to allow for growth. They should be big enough so that your child can wiggle the toes inside.
• If your child frequently takes the shoes off, they may be uncomfortable. Look for any signs of discomfort such as blisters, redness or calluses on the feet.

When to Buy New Shoes for Your Child

Unlike many adults, kids don’t really enjoy shopping for shoes. But at the rate they outgrow them, trying shoes on is absolutely essential for growing feet. Here are some tips that will help you be certain that your children’s shoes fit properly, and remove some of the nightmare elements of shopping for kids’ shoes.

When to Buy New Shoes for Your Child

Unless your child complains that they are uncomfortable, you may not know when it’s time for a new pair of shoes. It’s a good idea to periodically check your children’s shoe size to make sure what they’re wearing still fits appropriately.

Look for particularly worn areas, or stressed seams. If the sides are bulging or wearing out more quickly than the rest of the shoe, then they may not be wide enough. Toes that bend upwards are also a sign your child’s shoes don’t fit properly, and worn out toes or heels can also mean it’s time for a new pair of children shoes.

 

Tootsies Stride Rite has been fitting children shoes in Richmond, Virginia since 1985.  Over the past 23 years, we have acquired a reputation as being the most knowledgeable children shoe experts in the area, and now bring that fitting knowledge and experience to our online business. 

 

Tootsies Stride Rite has been online for over 5 years, and gives fitting advice on every product we offer online.  For more information on Tootsies, go to our web site at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com  

Child saddle shoes

 

A classic look that goes back generations, child saddle shoes are always in style.  Many moms still dress up their toddler boys in short pant outfits, and the toddler saddle shoes with knee socks really adds to the look of the outfit. 

Child saddle shoes are available in a variety of colors, such as all white saddle shoes, a favorite in the spring and summer months, white/black saddle shoes, white/navy saddle shoes, white/ecru saddle shoes and two-tone brown saddle for that collegiate look.

These shoes are available in sizes toddler 5 to child 12, and come in medium, wide and extra-wide widths.  You can purchase them in children’s shoe stores or they are available online at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com  For more information, visit us online or call us toll-free at 1-866-235-0626.

History of the game of soccer

People have played games similar to modern soccer around the world since ancient times. The oldest recorded soccer-like game is the Chinese game of tsu-chu, allegedly invented by the emperor Huang-Ti in 1697 b.c. Records from Huang-Ti’s time describe a game played with a leather ball stuffed with animal hair and cork. Two teams vied to kick it through goal posts. The Japanese played a similar game called kemari in the same era. A North African game from the seventh century b.c. was also evidently similar to soccer, though it was a ceremonial game played as part of a fertility rite.

The ancient Greeks participated in a game involving kicking and throwing a ball on a marked field. It was called espiskyros. The Romans later had similar games, probably adapted from the Greek. One of the Roman games was called follis, and used a large light ball filled with hair. In follis, the players tried to keep the ball in the air with their hands. Another version was called harpastum. In this rougher game, players tried to tackle the person with the ball. Harpastum was popular among Roman soldiers, and it spread throughout Italy, and then across the Roman Empire. The game was brought to England, and from there its history becomes more narrowly British.

The balls used in early Britain were probably made from inflated animal bladders, though there are persistent rumors of games played with human heads. The skulls of either Roman or Viking oppressors were said to have been batted about at various Dark Age revelries. The British also may have had a soccer-like game played with the head of an animal, used in pre-Christian times as a fertility rite. This evolved in the Middle Ages into a game played on Shrove Tuesday. Teams competed to kick the head of an animal around their agricultural fields. The winning team got to bury the head on its ground, supposedly guaranteeing a good harvest.

By the 1300s, soccer (at that point called football) had evolved into a rough street game, where opposing mobs injured each other and crashed through houses and stores in their struggle to get the ball through the goal posts. King Edward II outlawed the game in 1314, and subsequent rulers had to renew his decree. As with the Roman soldiers, football was popular with British army men, and they apparently neglected their military training in order to play.

The game continued to be played in the streets of England at least through the eighteenth century, but in the nineteenth century, it became an upper-crust game, played at British public schools and colleges. Each school had its own rules, and the first standardized soccer rules were published in 1862, so that graduates of the different schools could play harmoniously. The English Football Association was founded in 1863. The term soccer dates to that time, when in British college student slang the term ruggers was the game played at Rugby, and soccer was the game played according to the Football Association rules.

When the English Football Association was founded and it’s official rules (based on Eton rules) of the game soccer drafted, it excluded certain game nuances that had developed at the Rugby school. Running with the ball and hacking (violently scrapping at the ball with the boot to get it away from the player or tripping the player running with the ball) were not adopted by the Cambridge rules, and so Rugbeian teams refused to join the Football Association. In 1871, eight years after the organization of the English Football Association, Rugby teams formed the Rugby Football Union, which drafted its own official rules of the game rugby. With so much strong debate over hacking, the Rugby Football Union also discarded the practice. Over the years, rugby rules have been modified, but still the game and its equipment remains distinct from soccer.

Worldwide spread of soccer came with the expansion of the British empire. British laborers working on the Argentine and Uruguayan railroads took the game to those countries. International codification of the rules came in 1904, with the founding of the International Federation of Association Football (known by its acronym in French, FIFA). By the late 1990s, soccer was the most popular game on Earth, with millions of fans and a burgeoning equipment industry.