Backpacks. Pencils. Rulers. Back-to-school means more than shopping for school supplies. It means checking shoes to ensure they will work for gym and the playground.
The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society shares that parents can expect to buy a new pair of shoes every two to three months, early on in a child’s development. Once a child nears age 3, parents should plan to purchase new shoes every six months.
Feet and ankles are the foundation of a healthy body, said JRMC Podiatrist/ Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Dr. Rachael Renschler. Dr. Renschler offers foot screenings to her pediatric patients. These screenings can help detect and treat foot problems early.
“Most foot conditions are inherited. Proper shoes can slow deformity from worsening as a child grows older,” Dr. Renschler said.
When shopping for new shoes for children, consider the following:
- Shoes wear out and lose shock absorption over time. Even though shoes might look clean, the best practice is to replace them after one year.
- When purchasing new shoes, check to see that the toe box flexes with ease. Shoes should not bend in the middle of the sole.
- Children’s feet grow quickly. However, do not intentionally purchase shoes that are too big for a child. Purchase shoes with a thumb space between the toes and edge of the shoe. This allows for some growing room without causing blisters from rubbing in shoes that are too large.
- Young athletes should break in their sport shoes prior to playing. To break in sport shoes, wear them around the house for short periods of time. They can also be brought to practice and worn for a short while, then switched to an older and more broken in pair of shoes.
- Children who do not like to participate in physical education may actually have a foot problem. This may be their way of communicating that their feet or ankles hurt.
To help prevent the possibility of long-term foot issues, parents should check their children’s shoes every few weeks to ensure the shoes still fit properly, according to the Institute for Preventative Foot Health.
Dr. Renschler said, “A properly fitting supportive shoe can provide a healthy foundation for your child.”