Choosing the right shoes for your child to wear to school is extremely important, for children spend 30 hours a week in school shoes!
Don’t underestimate how problematic might be for your child to wear wrong shoes to school! In fact, it may lead to problems in adulthood such as hammer toes, ingrown toenails, corns on the feet, callus and possibly bunions! These problems can be painful and may require treatment ranging from a simple consultation to a surgery! That’s why you should make sure that your child’s school shoes fit properly.
Tips to follow while choosing school shoes for your child:
There should be a child’s thumb width between the end of the shoe and the end of the longest toe.
The back part of the shoe should be strong and stable.
The shoe should flex across the ball of the foot not in the middle.
The sole should not twist.
A heel greater that 1.5 cm should be avoided for long term use.
A pair of school shoes should generally last nine months to a year, but you should know that after the age of 3, a child’s foot generally grows about half a size every 6 months. This is why always make sure that your child’s shoes still fit his feet!
Remember, it is not normal for children to have pain in their feet or legs, so shoes that cause your child pain should be replaced immediately! If the shoes are replaced and the pain remains, it’s time to worry! It is recommended to see a podiatrist if your child has any of the following:
Pain in the feet, heel, knee, or legs.
Frequent unexplained tripping and falling.
Uneven shoe wear.
Skin or toenail irritation or problems.