Let’s face it. Your kids haven’t quite reached Carrie Bradshaw shoe shopping status yet.
Choosing shoes for your growing child might seem like a no brainer, but it actually involves a lot of thought and preparation. What doesn’t these days as parents?
Many parents forgo lengthy fittings and opt for whatever is stylish, affordable or readily available. This approach is fine while a child is still young enough to only need shoes on occasion and spends more time out of their shoes then in them, like in their toddler years. As your child begins to grow, it’s important to get quality shoes. They might be a little more expensive compared to other shoes but they will certainly fit better and last longer. Investing in a boot conditioner can also prolong the lifespan of the shoes. Investing in proper shoes will also improve your child’s posture. It’s often found that shoes with weak soles can harm their posture, as well as being uncomfortable.
However, around the age of 5, children will need to wear shoes a lot more often, especially if they are attending full time school or daycare programs. This is when it’s really important to ensure that children are wearing the best footwear for their individual needs. Proper shoes also promote good foot health and hygiene, both of which are important throughout life.
Some things to consider when choosing shoes for your growing child include fit, material, shape, brands and of course, cost. Often children end up with improper shoes because they are poorly made, or just because they are a brand name and popular.
Proper shoes for kids should have certain characteristics depending on their age.
For instance, children that are new to walking should have soft-soled, non-slip shoes. Older children will need sturdier and more protective foot cover. Check the quality and shape of the shoe. Young children need footwear with straight soles, not curved ones (their little feet aren’t curved yet!). We need to make sure that the shoe will not affect the shape of our little ones’ feet.
Who knew how vital choosing the proper width and toe shape was?
Shoes should also be wide enough to accommodate the foot without pinching and narrow enough to keep the feet from slipping around inside. It is also important to choose a shoe with a toe box that allows the toes to move and does not press down on the toenails. Boot style shoes are the best design for protecting toes. The heel cup should be firm and closed to avoid slipping with improper support.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that the shoe itself is flexible. It should bend near the toe, much like the foot. Thick chunky soles can hinder movement. Finally, choose leather shoes over vinyl or canvas, as they mold to the foot and do not push or pinch like most other materials.
Happy shopping MBMoms!
