Foot Development in Children: Did You Know? (Guest Post)

Buying school shoes for your children can be a bit of a minefield. With so many types on the market, varying in cost and style, as well as being equipped with various features, shopping for the humble school shoe can be more difficult than you may think.

Some parents insist on spending over the odds on shoes bought from specialist retailers, where you can end up spending £40+ on a pair of school shoes that, if most children are anything to go by, are scuffed and well-worn within a couple of weeks. You will find that many children in the playground can easily get through two or more pairs of shoes every year, which soon adds up in cost – a price that many of us can’t afford. So, is it possible to scrimp on the cost without affecting our child’s feet and their development? You’d be surprised at how affordable school shoes can be if you head to the supermarket ranges, such as George. But before you do, here are a few facts that may interest you.

Tesco school uniform (50)

A child’s feet don’t stop growing until they’re 18

This is why it’s imperative that a child wears a pair of school shoes that is the correct size for their feet. Have their feet measured every 3 or 4 months, because you never know when they will have a growth spurt. Don’t forget, you can use the assistance of specialist fitters in shoe stores without buying the shoes.

A child’s shoes won’t last as long as yours do

Ignore the ever-growing feet and you’ll still find that the shoes you buy won’t last as long as you might expect, particularly school shoes, which they wear day in, day out, both in and out of the classroom. The average life span of a pair of shoes is about 4 months, because children don’t just walk in them; they run, skid, jump, stomp and kick, too! They are also exposed to all manner of elements when playing outside, which will inevitably impact the shoes, eventually.

One foot may be bigger than the other

It’s important to get both feet measured every time you’re thinking about buying new shoes. You may not be able to buy shoes in different sizes, but at least then, you can buy the size that will most comfortably fit both feet.

Most foot problems begin in childhood

You will find that most doctors and podiatrists will agree that most foot problems begin in childhood, simply because of the shoes that children wear. Often, children can wear shoes longer than recommended, with them outgrowing them well before their shoe requirements are reassessed. It’s recommended that you check the fit of your children’s shoes regularly so that you can see whether they need to be re-measured.

Remember that using the right size shoe now, either at school or at home, can help to maintain healthy feet later in life. Spending less on a pair of school shoes doesn’t mean you’re any less likely of getting a good pair of school shoes, as long as they fit, are comfortable and supportive.

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