From Infant to Preschooler: A New Stage of Activity
Once your child moves past the infant stage and into the preschool years, shoe fitting takes on a whole new set of considerations. By this age, most children have developed their natural gait and are running, climbing, and making lateral movements throughout the day. In fact, children at this stage would rather run than walk — and that level of activity demands a different type of shoe and a different approach to fitting.
This guide walks you through what to look for, what to avoid, and how to make sure your child’s shoes truly fit their feet.
Along with increased activity, your child’s growth pattern will also change. Depending on the child, growth may shift from a steady pace of about every three months to a spurt pattern. The foot may not grow for a while, then suddenly grow a size or more in a short time.
Because every child is different, it is impossible to predict this change in growth pattern. You should check, or have a shoe fitter check, your child’s shoes every two or three months.
Style vs. Function: Choosing the Right Shoe
Most children in this age range now attend a preschool, daycare, or mother’s day out program. It is natural for a child to want the popular shoes that other children wear. Unfortunately, because all feet are different, the most popular shoe may not be the best for your child’s feet.
The style of children’s shoes often follows that of adult shoes, but fashion and function do not always go together. The requirements of a child’s foot are quite different than those of an adult foot, so adult styles on a child’s foot may be a poor choice.
For example, the clog-style shoe that is popular now is not practical for a child who is running and climbing — they cannot keep this type of shoe on during normal daily activities. Another example is the slip-on style of athletic shoe that is becoming popular with adults. A slip-on shoe for a child must be fitted shorter than usual to prevent it from slipping off the foot. This means the shoe must be replaced more often than a traditional lace athletic shoe.
Matching the Shoe to the Foot
No two feet are alike. Some are narrow, some are wide, and they vary in overall shape. The shoe’s style and shape should match the foot’s shape — compatibility is very important for a proper fit.
A shoe may be the proper size, but the shape of the last (the form the shoe is built on) may be wrong for the foot. For example, a narrow foot would not do as well in a heavy-sole, broad-toe style. Wider feet would be better suited for this type of shoe.
Children also wear their shoes differently. Some shoes will look new after three months of wear, while others will look totally worn out after three weeks. How your child wears their shoes should be a consideration when fitting. For a child who is hard on shoes, a heavier-weight shoe will make a difference in how long it lasts.
What to Check When Fitting a Shoe
Due to the wide variety of shoe and foot shapes, and the fact that right and left feet are different sizes, the perfect fit does not exist. There are, however, several things you should check when fitting shoes:
- Toe room
- Width
- Throat room
- Heel fit
- Anklebone clearance
- Compatibility of the shoe and the foot
The following are guidelines you can use when fitting your child’s shoes. Remember — fitting is an art, not a science. It takes practice and experience.
Toe Room
Generally, there is one-third inch between sizes. Leaving one-third to one-half inch in the toes will allow for a whole size or a half size of growth room. Be sure that this room is allowed on the larger foot.
If the shoe is too long, the break across the vamp (the front of the shoe at the ball) will be angled rather than straight. The break or bend across the vamp may also be deeper on a shoe that is too long, irritating the top of the toes. As the shoe is worn, the toes tend to turn up.
Width
Shoe width is probably the most important part of shoe fitting, but it is often ignored. Many parents want the shoe to fit with lots of toe room so it can be worn longer. However, if the shoe is not wide enough, it will be outgrown in width long before length becomes a factor.
Foot growth is not in equal proportions: the toes account for one-fourth of total growth, and heel-to-ball accounts for three-fourths. If the shoe is too narrow, the foot cannot move forward in it, and length becomes less important.
You should be able to lift the leather off the top of the foot by gently squeezing across the ball of the foot. One-sixth to one-quarter of an inch should give your child ample room for forward growth. Be sure that the little toe is not cramped or turned under.
Narrow feet are much more difficult to fit than wide feet because most manufacturers do not make narrow widths. The guidelines for fitting a narrow foot are the same, but you may have to try many more styles to find one that fits narrow enough for your child’s foot.
You may wonder, “Will it hurt my child’s foot to wear a shoe that is too wide?” The answer depends on how long the shoe will be worn and how wide it is. The foot will move constantly in a shoe that is too wide, and the motion can cause irritations such as calluses and, in some cases, blisters. Sometimes insoles can be used to fill the extra space, but they are difficult to find in children’s sizes.
Throat Room
The throat of the shoe is on the top, where the foot meets the shoe. If there is not enough room between the foot and the shoe in the throat, the foot will not be able to grow forward in the shoe.
The tip of your first finger should fit between the foot and the shoe in the throat. This will allow ample room for forward growth. Of course, different shoe styles will require different amounts of room. You cannot allow that much room in a slip-on shoe or loafer — if you do, the shoe will slip off as easily as it slips on.
A buckle or Mary Jane style has a low-cut vamp, but you should still allow room on the top where the shoe and foot meet. The strap will allow for some adjustment of the heel fit.
Heel Fit
You have probably been told to make sure the heel doesn’t slip when trying on new shoes. A little looseness in the heel is not a bad thing. If the heel is too tight, however, you will be guaranteed a blister. Constant pressure on the heel will cause the body to build up fluid to cushion the spot.
Excess room will also cause problems, but just a little room will allow for more natural foot movement. Use caution on sling-back shoes and clogs — these styles offer no lateral heel control. As your child runs, the heel will slip to the side, increasing the chances of twisting an ankle.
Anklebone
The anklebone on the outside of the foot is lower on some children and can be a problem area. Athletic shoes with padded collars usually address this issue. With dress shoes, which are harder and stiffer, it can be a source of irritation.
Check to see that the topline of the shoe comes above the anklebone or well below it. Sometimes a felt heel lift will help until the topline softens.
Compatibility
There are many shoe styles on the market today, and your child will want the most popular one. But is that the best shoe for their foot? A shoe can be the right size but still be totally wrong for the foot.
Be sure the shape, or last, of the shoe matches the shape of the foot. Matching the shoe to your child’s foot shape will be more comfortable for your child, and the shoe will look and wear better.
A Real-World Example
Consider this example: a mother brought her daughter in wearing a pair of shoes purchased at a specialty athletic store. Because the child was in a school-sponsored activity, the shoe was required as part of the uniform. The child had bunions and the beginning of hammertoes, and the shoes were very painful for her.
The mother inquired about adjustments to the shoes that would allow the child to continue with her activity. After several adjustments, the shoes were less painful — but they still did not fit, nor were they compatible with the child’s foot.
The Parent’s Role
Children will wear shoes that are popular or required for an activity, whether they fit or not. It is your job as a parent to help your child make the right choices. If proper fitting is started at an early age, the foot will grow to its adult shape with few problems, and situations like the one above can be avoided. For more information on choosing the right shoe, contact Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists.