Back to school means taking care of a lot of things, including shoe shopping. Shoes are a critical part of your child’s growth, so you want to be 100 percent certain you are making the right decisions when it comes to footwear. Here are some tips that should help make those decisions much easier.
Why it is So Important
Shoe shopping for the proper footwear is a great deal more important than you think. Well-fitting footwear will not only help your children’s feet develop correctly, it may even help reduce the chance of your son or daughter becoming obese. If their shoes fit correctly, they will be more likely to play and exercise because they will be comfortable.
The “Room to Grow” Strategy Will Not Work
Many parents believe they should buy shoes that have a lot of extra room in the toes. They do so thinking they will save some money because they will not have to go shoe shopping as often. However, buying shoes too large can lead to issues with muscle development. While shoes should leave a bit of room in the toe area so feet can move, they cannot leave too much room.
In Person is Best
With the Internet being so convenient when it comes to shopping, you may be tempted to simply order your child’s shoes online. This is not a good idea, especially for children. Go to a store with knowledgeable sales people who know how to properly size a child to ensure a good fit.
These just scratch the surface of good shoe shopping tips for back to school. Try to purchase a couple pairs at least so your child can rotate them and avoid foot issues. Make sure the straps or laces remain tight but not too tight, and avoid hand-me-downs if at all possible. Children’s feet develop differently, and what may be good for big brother might not work so well for little brother.
Contact Southwest Foot and Ankle Center
If you have any questions, or you or your child has any type of foot issue, contact Southwest Foot and Ankle Center online or call 972-318-2738 in Lewisville, 972-805-9985 in Plano or 972-318-2655 in Irving to schedule an appointment.
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