Selecting Shoes For Kids
Jonathon Hardcastle
There is nothing more natural to a parent than kissing a
newborn's soft pink feet and counting its tiny toes. But once
the baby starts to take its first steps, it is not so easy to
know if its feet are developing normally.
The good news is that doctors no longer take such drastic
corrective measures when dealing with most foot disorders. In
fact, many such conditions aren't considered problems at all. "A
baby's foot undergoes many changes that aren't serious, don't
require any treatment, and are often normal parts of
development," says Micheal Goldbearg, M.D., F.A.A.P., Professor
and Chairman of orthopedics at the Tufts University School of
Medicine in Boston.
Although the adult shoe has changed from being a protective
covering to becoming a status symbol, the child's shoe has
remained in its basic sole-protecting the foot from the hazards
of the outside world. Regardless of age, a shoe's main purpose
is to provide a protective covering during cold weather and
prevent injury caused by stepping on sharp objects outdoors. But
when kids are just learning to walk, they need plenty of
shoeless time. Inside the house, socks with rubberized soles
will provide protection without the risk of falling. But kids at
some point have to leave the safety of their house and be able
to move outside, without endangering their feet. Thus, when
parents are buying a child's shoes it is important to remember
to have their babies' and children's feet measured by an
experienced salesperson as nobody wants the shoe to slip while
the kid is walking or to rub against the ankle or toes. "Make
sure both feet are measure while the child is standing!" adds
Dr. Micheal Goldbearg.
A recent survey of professionals who give advice on children's
feet, including pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons, pediatric
orthopedics, and podiatrists, revealed wide divergence of
opinion regarding shoes and footwear in both normal and
problematic feet. Then, what is a parent left to do? The only
rational approach to the subject is to examine some traditional
ideas in the light of recent studies and experience, so as to
determine if the professional views should be upheld or
discarded.
1. Shoes are necessary to promote foot development: In other
words normal children's feet need support, otherwise they will
become flat. Recent studies seem to contradict this. Feet
deformities like bunions and hammer-toes are very rare among
children who wear no shoes, in contrast to those who do, where
such deformities are commonly detected.
2. High-top shoes are necessary to support the ankle as the
child takes its first steps: Well-meaning but misinformed
relatives often perpetrate this myth. Studies have shown that
when a child is strong enough to stand up and walk, he will have
ankles strong enough to support his body.
3. Sneakers, if worn for more than a couple of hours a day, are
bad for children: This is a widely held belief among consumers
as well as professionals. There is absolutely no evidence that
normal feet develop into flatfeet if tennis shoes rather then
hi-top or leather shoes are used.
4. Shoe salesmen are competent to diagnose foot problems and
advise remedial shoe war for children: This is totally
erroneous. Most shoe salesmen are well intentioned and desire to
sell you the most comfortable shoes they can find. But they are
not trained to give advice regarding foot problems. Responsible
salesmen should suggest to parents that their child should visit
a doctor, in case its feet do not appear right.
5. The Price of Shoes: The price of shoes is often related to
the kind of material used. Leather is the most expensive,
especially if it used for both uppers and soles. Since leather
allows the feet to "breathe" in the shoes it helps avoid sweat
accumulation and skin irritation. But while leather uppers are
desirable, leather soles are not necessary and can be replaced
by rubber or crepe soles.
6. The Soles of the Shoes: The soles of the shoes whether
leather or rubber, should be thick enough to protect, yet
flexible enough for walking. It is also important to look at the
bottom of the soles to determine depth of the grooves. The
deeper the grooves the better the traction.
7. Fitting Children's Shoes: Parents must remember looking for a
pair of shoes to fit their child's feet, not vice versa. To get
a good fit, both the shape and the size of the shoes should
comfort to its feet. Foot size increases whether standing,
sleeping, or running. Once the shoes are on, parents should
check for adequate length and width, depending on their child's
unique case.
8. The Appropriate Shoe: Certain types of shoes are appropriate
depending on the child's age. Babies and crawlers do not need
shoes. They only need booties, warm socks, or pre-walking shoes
that do not bind feet. Shoes for toddles, on the other hand, age
9months to 3 years, should allow the foot to breathe due to
perspiration. Style and shoe-fit is important for school-age
children. For any child age, parents should be aware that
problems such as flatfeet or high arch could be developed, and
they should always pay attention to the anatomic nature of the
shoes purchased.
About the author:
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including
There is nothing more natural to a parent than kissing a
newborn's soft pink feet and counting its tiny toes. But once
the baby starts to take its first steps, it is not so easy to
know if its feet are developing normally.
The good news is that doctors no longer take such drastic
corrective measures when dealing with most foot disorders. In
fact, many such conditions aren't considered problems at all. "A
baby's foot undergoes many changes that aren't serious, don't
require any treatment, and are often normal parts of
development," says Micheal Goldbearg, M.D., F.A.A.P., Professor
and Chairman of orthopedics at the Tufts University School of
Medicine in Boston.
Although the adult shoe has changed from being a protective
covering to becoming a status symbol, the child's shoe has
remained in its basic sole-protecting the foot from the hazards
of the outside world. Regardless of age, a shoe's main purpose
is to provide a protective covering during cold weather and
prevent injury caused by stepping on sharp objects outdoors. But
when kids are just learning to walk, they need plenty of
shoeless time. Inside the house, socks with rubberized soles
will provide protection without the risk of falling. But kids at
some point have to leave the safety of their house and be able
to move outside, without endangering their feet. Thus, when
parents are buying a child's shoes it is important to remember
to have their babies' and children's feet measured by an
experienced salesperson as nobody wants the shoe to slip while
the kid is walking or to rub against the ankle or toes. "Make
sure both feet are measure while the child is standing!" adds
Dr. Micheal Goldbearg.
A recent survey of professionals who give advice on children's
feet, including pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons, pediatric
orthopedics, and podiatrists, revealed wide divergence of
opinion regarding shoes and footwear in both normal and
problematic feet. Then, what is a parent left to do? The only
rational approach to the subject is to examine some traditional
ideas in the light of recent studies and experience, so as to
determine if the professional views should be upheld or
discarded.
1. Shoes are necessary to promote foot development: In other
words normal children's feet need support, otherwise they will
become flat. Recent studies seem to contradict this. Feet
deformities like bunions and hammer-toes are very rare among
children who wear no shoes, in contrast to those who do, where
such deformities are commonly detected.
2. High-top shoes are necessary to support the ankle as the
child takes its first steps: Well-meaning but misinformed
relatives often perpetrate this myth. Studies have shown that
when a child is strong enough to stand up and walk, he will have
ankles strong enough to support his body.
3. Sneakers, if worn for more than a couple of hours a day, are
bad for children: This is a widely held belief among consumers
as well as professionals. There is absolutely no evidence that
normal feet develop into flatfeet if tennis shoes rather then
hi-top or leather shoes are used.
4. Shoe salesmen are competent to diagnose foot problems and
advise remedial shoe war for children: This is totally
erroneous. Most shoe salesmen are well intentioned and desire to
sell you the most comfortable shoes they can find. But they are
not trained to give advice regarding foot problems. Responsible
salesmen should suggest to parents that their child should visit
a doctor, in case its feet do not appear right.
5. The Price of Shoes: The price of shoes is often related to
the kind of material used. Leather is the most expensive,
especially if it used for both uppers and soles. Since leather
allows the feet to "breathe" in the shoes it helps avoid sweat
accumulation and skin irritation. But while leather uppers are
desirable, leather soles are not necessary and can be replaced
by rubber or crepe soles.
6. The Soles of the Shoes: The soles of the shoes whether
leather or rubber, should be thick enough to protect, yet
flexible enough for walking. It is also important to look at the
bottom of the soles to determine depth of the grooves. The
deeper the grooves the better the traction.
7. Fitting Children's Shoes: Parents must remember looking for a
pair of shoes to fit their child's feet, not vice versa. To get
a good fit, both the shape and the size of the shoes should
comfort to its feet. Foot size increases whether standing,
sleeping, or running. Once the shoes are on, parents should
check for adequate length and width, depending on their child's
unique case.
8. The Appropriate Shoe: Certain types of shoes are appropriate
depending on the child's age. Babies and crawlers do not need
shoes. They only need booties, warm socks, or pre-walking shoes
that do not bind feet. Shoes for toddles, on the other hand, age
9months to 3 years, should allow the foot to breathe due to
perspiration. Style and shoe-fit is important for school-age
children. For any child age, parents should be aware that
problems such as flatfeet or high arch could be developed, and
they should always pay attention to the anatomic nature of the
shoes purchased.
About the author:
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including
posted by The Editor at
4:02 PM
