All toddlers younger than 16 months have flat feet and fully develop an arch by the age of 6–8 years. Padded insoles are fine but most children do not need a special arch support. The Insole: should be made of absorbent material.Leather or canvas allows the foot to breathe. Children’s feet perspire a lot and the upper part of their shoes should be made of breathable materials. The Upper Part: should be made of leather, canvas, or the newer mesh materials.The shoe is constructed of four parts: the upper part, the insole, the outer sole, and the heel. Shoes should have good shock absorption with durable soles as children participate in more high impact activities.Base your shoe selection for children on the barefoot model.Stiff and compressive footwear may cause deformity, weakness, and loss of mobility.Shoes should have rubber soles for traction to prevent slipping or sliding.Shoes should be made of leather or mesh to allow your baby’s feet to breathe comfortably.Shoes should be lightweight and flexible to support natural foot movement with a stable base of support.The AAP recommends the following when considering shoe recommendations for children: However, when surfaces are uneven, shoes should be worn to protect their feet. So at home, it is advised to leave your child barefoot to promote natural foot development. You also want to make sure your baby’s shoes fit correctly and are not too small.Ĭhildren learn to walk by gripping their toes on the ground, as they build intrinsic strength of their foot and arch. Children should be wearing shoes that are flexible and allow the foot to bend and move as though the child is barefoot. Flexible, non-skid or skid-resistant soles are one of the most important features to look for in a baby shoe. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed shoe recommendations for children to help you find shoes that are helpful and not harmful as your little one continues learning to walk. In the early years of childhood, there is a “fat” pad in the arch area of the foot, which gives the appearance of a flat foot, but this is not the case as it offers a natural arch support. In young children the arch will usually not be visible or developed for the first 2 years and even then it is not fully developed. Although the structure of the foot develops fully by 2 years of age, the bones themselves do not fully develop and harden until around 18 years of age.
A baby’s foot contains more cartilage than bone. These bones are designed to support the entire body, adapt to uneven surfaces and absorb shock with each step. The foot is a complex structure comprised of 26 bones. Once your baby starts cruising along furniture to taking their first few steps, it is important to think about what shoes to buy for your little walker.
In her latest post she offers some great information for families and therapists alike on the important topic of Shoe Recommendations for Children: Sneha Gosalia, Pediatric Physical Therapist and co-Founder of Big Leaps Pediatric Therapy in Stanford, CT.
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