Shoes for children
shoe; child; feet; foot; wearing shoes; gumboot; thong; bare feet; buckle; shoe-lace; sneakers; plastic; plastic shoes; sandshoes; sandal; second hand. ;
Contents
Parents are often concerned about the best kinds of shoes for children, when they should start wearing shoes and what things to be aware of. This topic answers some common questions.
When to start
- Most children do not need shoes until they have been walking for at least 6-8 weeks. Children need to learn to walk well first.
- Even then, shoes are only needed for protection from sharp objects, unpleasant dirt etc, such as on footpaths, in parks or supermarkets.
- Bare feet are the best. It is easiest to learn to walk and run when children can feel what they touch with their feet.
Choosing shoes
- For new walkers, soft soled, non slip bootee style shoes are a good way to keep the feet warm and protected.
- They need to fit properly, ie not be too tight and have plenty of room in the toe.
In the first 5-6 years, choose shoes carefully. It is better to have one good pair of shoes than two pairs of poor quality shoes.
Things to look for when buying shoes
- Fit. It is better to take your child to an experienced fitter. The foot is not fully formed until the child is about 6 years old. The bones are soft and the ligaments (muscles, tendons, nerves etc) are easily stretched. Poorly fitting shoes and shoes that are too small can damage a young foot.
- Buckles or laces
. Buckles and laces are better than velcro and elastic fasteners as they are more supportive.
- Leather
. This is better than vinyl as the leather moulds around the foot.
- Light and flexible
. The foot bends near the toe, and so should the shoe. Check where the sole (bottom of the shoe) bends, particularly if the shoe is chunky and the soles are stiff.
- A firm heel cup
. This means that the shoe or sandal should have a solid back. Sandals need an enclosed heel. If you grasp the sides of the back of the shoe, you should not be able to squeeze the sides together or push the back down. This is a firm heel cup.
- A Straight Last. Turn the shoe over and look at the sole (bottom). The shape of the sole is called the 'last'. Some shoes curve in, but a child's foot doesn't. Choose a shoe with a straight last (ie that doesn't curve in).
- Brands
. Don't choose a shoe by the brand name. Expensive shoes are not always better. Choose a shoe by the things listed in this section.
What sort of shoe?
Gumboots are great for when it is wet outside and thongs are great at the beach but they should not be the shoes that children wear most of the time.
Sneakers
Many sneakers are fine, as they fit the guidelines listed above for shoes in general.
Plastic shoes
Cheap plastic shoes are not recommended, but if you have them they should be used only for short periods of time.
Second hand shoes
- In a perfect world it is better to have new shoes. If you need to use second hand shoes, choose carefully.
- Second hand shoes should not be pushed out of shape by the person who wore them before.
- Scuff marks on the shoes are OK.
- Make sure the heel is worn down evenly.
- Look at the shoe from the heel end and make sure the cup looks straight.
If all the points above are OK, the shoe should be all right for your child, provided it fits well.
Resources
South Australia
Your Child and Family Health physiotherapist or nurse can advise you.
General
See your physiotherapist or doctor, or child health nurse if you have any worries about your child's feet.
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.