Star Magazine- Dec 21 2009Fact: Your children’s feet grow fastest during their first 4 to 5 years of life.  Suri Cruise may look cute playing dress-up in her heels, but she’s risking some long term damage if she wears them for hours at a time.  Cramped feet simply can not develop properly- that’s why its critical for parents to know when its time to change shoes.  Certified Pedorthist Greg Mills gives you guidelines to help protect your children’s feet from pain and long term damage:

The growth plates in children’s bones don’t finish closing until age 15-17 in boys and 13-15 in girls.  When overly stressed, these plates are more susceptible to injury.  Kids’ feet can very easily outgrow shoes in a single month during a growth spurt, you already know this, but what’s more important is to understand what you can do to protect your children’s feet and prevent foot pain.

Improperly fitted shoes can cause foot pain, but children don’t always know when their shoes are too small. Training kids to realize when shoes are too small can help, but parents should always double check.

  • Frequent checks for proper fit are essential. There should be about a thumbs width of space between their longest toe and the end of the shoe, never touching the end.
  • The general timeline for buying children shoes is every 3 months until age 4 or 5 and no more than every 6 months until their mid teens.
  • Breathable footwear materials are essential.

    • Due to their endless energy, kids’ feet sweat….. A LOT! Many cheap shoes are made from synthetic materials that don’t breathe at all! The result- wet, stinky, unhealthy feet. Adding moisture wicking socks can prevent blisters and greatly reduce the risk of fungal foot problems. Plus kids love them.

  • Inserts can dramatically improve most children’s gait and improve function of the knees, hips and lower back
    especially when they over pronate (roll in at the ankles).

    • However, kids are still developing their muscular-skeletal systems. Inserts also greatly improve comfort, balance, confidence and athletic performance, giving them an advantage. Unlike adults, custom made inserts are rarely needed for children.  Over the counter (OTC) styles work very well for most. Children’s feet out grow inserts just like shoes, so replacing them with OTC styles is more economical.  If your children have ever complained of pain, make sure to check the feet!

    Caring for your childrens feet