Kids have been back in school for about a month now – thank goodness! No more fretting about how to keep the kids busy during summer vacation. Of course it comes with some other issues, like school supplies, homework, and back to school shopping. Some of you may already be done with it, but maybe others of us have to go shopping again. Not only do kids outgrow their shoes and clothing at a rapid pace, fashion trends seem to constantly change as well! So now they’ve got to get the latest Air Jordans and Yeezys sneakers.
At Crofton Podiatry, we’d like to offer some tips to keep in mind while shopping for your children’s school shoes:
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Function OVER Fashion – While the latest trends may be important to fitting in or being the “cool kid”, it’s more important that shoes be supportive and that they fit well. This is especially the case if children are taking physical education classes or run around during recess.
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If your children walk to and from school, make sure that they have shoes that will not leave them in pain after those walks.
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Measure feet each time you buy new shoes. While not easy to make the timing, the best time to measure feet is actually in the afternoon, when feet are slightly bigger from standing or walking on it through the day.
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While it is tempting to “know” your child’s shoe size and just order or buy it for them, because each child may be growing at a different rate and has different foot shapes, your children should try the shoes on (with socks!) to see if they are comfortable. Tightness in the toebox or non-supportive arches can cause foot pain.
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And don’t forget to buy the right size socks, since there is a foot size range associated with socks.
As children develop, it may become apparent that certain shoes give them pain. While it could be a “breaking in” period or growing feet that do not fit shoes anymore, it could also point to podiatric issues that need to be dealt with sooner than later for growing children. If they have any foot or ankle issues, you should bring them to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry before purchasing shoes, orthotic inserts, or even orthotic shoes. He will assess your children’s needs and make sure that they receive proper care for their growing feet. Make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office today!