Shoes for Kids

Photo: Miss Treechada Yoksan/Shutterstock

Shoes are important for keeping our feet protected from injury and the heat and cold. But feet are also important to process sensory information from touching the ground, both flat and uneven surfaces. Like the rest of the nervous system and body, there is continual  development of the foot occurs throughout childhood. There are 26 bones and 35 joints per foot that creates the highly flexible surface for walking on. Walking, like any milestone, happens at different times for different babies- a range of 8-18mo is common. Often babies will start walking with flat feet and feet turned inwards.  This is due to the muscles and ligaments of the feet developing strength and stiffness as they adapt to being weight bearing and walking.  Feet are used to explore, interact and investigate the environment until locomotion begins. At that point the shape, structure and function of the foot begin to adapt to being a weight bearing structure.

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Robeez shoes

So what type of shoes should children who are learning to walk wear?
There has been lots of debate about this over the last few years about flexible or stiff shoes but the research is not very clear. Footwear choices may impact the structural development and function of the foot, including reduced motion in midfoot movement in stiff shoes versus walking barefoot. There is also different muscle activation between barefoot and shoed walking- this may be related to the weight of the shoe. The foot is wider when walking barefoot which may mean that more flexible shoes allow the foot to move in developmentally appropriate ways for the muscles and ligaments in the foot  structured shoe inhibits this movement.
 
Tips:

• As toddlers are learning to walk, they should be barefoot or soft soled shoes (bend at the toe)  to allow sensation integration and muscle development
• Once they have been walking more confidently for some time, firmer soled shoes may be integrated
• Front of the shoe should be wider than the heel (this is the natural shape of the shoe)
• Ensure shoes are not too tight (length and width) which can interfere with walking and create problems (ingrown toenails, etc.)
• Laces/straps/fasteners be used to prevent too much movement of the feet within the shoe

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Stonz footwear

What brands do you like for you LO feet?
The Canadian Podiatric Medical Association approved Stonzwear footwear for children. This is a Canadian company that makes soft soled shoes as well as lightweight rain and snow boots. Robeez was awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, for promoting natural foot function.

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References:
1. Price, C., Morrison, S. C., Hashmi, F., Phethean, J., & Nester, C. (2018). Biomechanics of the infant foot during the transition to independent walking: a narrative review. Gait & posture, 59, 140-146.
2. Morrison, S. C., Price, C., McClymont, J., & Nester, C. (2018). Big issues for small feet: developmental, biomechanical and clinical narratives on children’s footwear. Journal of foot and ankle research, 11(1), 1-5.
3. Children’s Feet and Shoes. State of Victoria 2020. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/childrens-feet-and-shoes