by Rick McKnight

Q: So many kids are wearing Crocs®. Are they good for children’s feet?

A: They are certainly popular and comfortable and come in lots of fun colors. I think that they are fine as an alternative shoe or a water or beach shoe. They are definitely not for everyday use. Columbus podiatrist Dr. Alap Shah agrees. “I think they are good for casual wear, spending time in the yard or at the beach, but it’s definitely not an everyday type shoe.” We find that there is not enough stability for a young child. And when children come in to be fitted for a “real” pair of athletic shoes, say for school, they complain they are “too tight” when in actuality they aren’t.

Parents worry about their children’s teeth, eyes and most other parts of the body, but not so often, the developing foot. Many adult foot problems may have their origins in childhood. Attention to footwear for children can minimize the risk of problems in adulthood. The following guidelines may help protect your children’s feet:
• Have your child’s feet measured every 3 months.
• The fastening mechanism of the shoes (laces, Velcro, etc.) should hold the heel firmly in the back of the shoe.
• The shoes should be flexible across the ball of the foot, as this is where the foot bends.
• Leather and canvas are better materials—more durable and allow the foot to breathe.
• Check that the shoes have a rounded toe box, giving the toes more room to move.

Q: My mother always bought our shoes larger than we needed to “leave room to grow.” Kids grow so fast, but how much larger than their foot should their shoes be? And how often do they need new shoes?

A: Children do grow fast — faster than most parents realize. Children under, say 18 months usually grow more than half a foot size every two months. Toddlers up to about 24 months grow half a foot size every three months. From 24 to 36 months it’s about half a foot size every four months and after age 3, about every 4-5 months. There should be a thumb width between the end of the shoe and the end of the longest toe. Generally speaking if a child measured a 3, we would fit in a 3-1/2.

Q: My child has a really wide foot, but stores only seem to carry medium widths. Why?

A: Children’s feet have certainly gotten wider. I’m not sure why—maybe it’s all the processed food we eat. Just a dozen years ago we carried a lot of narrow width shoes. Now we sell mostly wide or extra wide widths. And why don’t more stores carry wide widths? The inventory is expensive and a store must invest in training to make sure they give each child the best fit.

Rick McKnight is the owner of the Kiddie Shoppe in The Shoppes at Bradley Park, now in its 75th year. For more information call Rick at 706.327.0334.

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