Protecting Kids Feet When They Go Back To School

The Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) is urging parents to carefully consider the shoes they buy for their children for the new school year. Each child is unique and foot types vary considerably, from high arched to flat feet. Without the right advice, children may start off the new year in uncomfortable and potentially damaging footwear.

The Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) is urging parents to carefully consider the shoes they buy for their children for the new school year.

Each child is unique and foot types vary considerably, from high arched to flat feet. Without the right advice, children may start off the new year in uncomfortable and potentially damaging footwear.

“Children’s feet are still developing up to age 12. Ill-fitting shoes could hinder a normal development” said Brenden Brown, Vice President of the Australian Podiatry Association. “Our children spend 30 hours a week in school shoes. That's in excess of 15,000 hours in their lifetime. Choosing the right shoe for your child is extremely important,” Mr Brown added.

Some of the potential problems we face later in life can be caused by neglect in our school years, including hammer toes, ingrown toenails, bunions, cracked heels and corns.

Busy parents can often be tempted by quicker options for buying school shoes, rather than sitting down with qualified fitters to try various shoe styles. Without proper advice, many children may be heading off to school in shoes that simply don’t fit properly.

The Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) offers the following tips to parents when buying school shoes:

• Fit shoes with the socks that will be worn with shoes
• Lace up, Velcro or buckle is best – avoid ‘slip ons’
• Stand up to tie laces and then check width
• Check length from the longest toe (not always the big toe!)
• Never buy a shoe too large for a child to grow into
• Heel and arch regions should be firm and not compressed with pressure
• Shoes must be flexible at the ball of the foot
• Also ensure socks are fitted correctly
• Never wear hand-me-down shoes and avoid high heels

“A school shoe should generally last nine months to a year. However, if your child has a growth spurt, check to see if their foot has also grown. Large amounts of ‘wearing’ noticed on the shoe or shoes that now cause pain should be replaced”, Mr Brown advised.

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Media Contact: Brenden Brown
Mobile: 0411 107 543
Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) www.podiatry.asn.au