Much research has shown that the position
of your child’s feet can have an enormous effect on the developing
musculoskeletal system. The following pointers should be considered
when choosing footwear for your child:
- Get the child’s foot measured properly.
- Consider the heel cup of the shoe as well
as the toe-box. Frequently people are concerned with having enough
space in the front of the shoe and do not consider that the child’s
relatively narrow heel may be sliding around in the heel cup.
- If the older child is very fashion conscious
and you are under pressure to buy a heeled shoe, it would be better
to buy a slightly platformed shoe where the difference between heel
and toe height is small. Such shoes however would need to be very
flexible under the arch of the foot.
- Check the footwear regularly during the
year as the foot changes shape throughout the school term.
- Avoid heels in young children’s shoes as
this encourages abnormal foot development and an abnormal gait pattern.
(they may have a detrimental effect on the developing position of
the spine and pelvis.)
- A shoe with Velcro strap or buckles are
best for young children to enable them change quickly at recess
time. Laced shoes will tend to be pulled on and off without opening
them. (It is however useful to have a pair of shoes or runners,
with laces, for home use, so that the child can learn to tie and
untie laces.
Remember that your child spends about 5 hours
a day in their indoor school slippers so the above points should be
considered along with the following:
- Avoid mule type slippers.
- Slippers should be a snug fit around the
heel and offer some support.
- A suitable light indoor shoe or the child’s
summer sandal may be an option for in school wear.
- Check the shoe/slipper at least twice during
each school term.
- Try to have a slip on,Velcro strap or buckled
indoor shoe for easy changing.
- Theresa McGinn BSc Hons
MISCP Chartered Physiotherapist.
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