| It is pretty usual for children to go around in footies or | | | | comfortable from the start, it means that is definitely |
| in socks during their first months. At that age, shoes | | | | not the right shoe for your kid. |
| are merely a 'decoration' item because newborns or | | | | 2. How is it made? - Four distinctive parts form every |
| young babies never walk so they don't need any kind | | | | shoe: upper part, insole, outer sole and heel. Children |
| of support for their body and feet. Nevertheless, the | | | | are usually quite active, so it is advisable that the upper |
| minute kids begin to walk, generally quite a few months | | | | part of the shoe is made of a strong but breathable |
| before or after they turn one, you must know what | | | | material such as canvas or leather. (Try avoiding |
| types of shoes your kid is going to wear. You may | | | | shoes that are made of plastic, especially at young |
| need to buy several pairs of new shoes for toddlers | | | | ages!). Try picking a shoe which insole is made from |
| and preschoolers quite regularly, so you will probably | | | | an absorbent material. It is not actually necessary to |
| begin to ask yourself lots of questions regarding your | | | | have padded insoles or special arch support insoles at |
| child's shoes. | | | | this age. The outer sole has to give flexibility, traction |
| Picking the right shoes for your kid is not easy. If you | | | | and cushioning to the shoe, but it shouldn't be bulky or |
| are about to buy shoes, you must ask 3 particular | | | | sticky when your kid walks. Bulky, sticky outer soles |
| questions before buying. They are the following: | | | | can lead to unnecessary injury by making your child |
| 1. How does it fit? | | | | clumsy. Also, heels aren't really necessary at this age |
| 2. How is it made? | | | | at all! Try picking shoes with flat soles; it will make it |
| 3. Is the shoe appropriate for your kid's age? | | | | much easier for your kid to walk. |
| Let's analyze every single question a bit more | | | | 3. Is the shoe appropriate for your kid's age? - A |
| thoroughly. | | | | pre-walking kid doesn't actually need shoes. Their feet |
| 1. How does it fit? - When you ask this, you must take | | | | just need footies and warm socks; they can even |
| into account the length, width and depth of the shoe | | | | walk barefoot indoors. If you have a toddler and he is |
| and check this carefully once the shoe is fitting your | | | | just learning to walk, he should wear shoes that have |
| child's foot. If you pick a shoe that is ill fitting, you may | | | | a smooth sole and a high top. Also, it must be made |
| harm your child's feet. Your kid can have ingrown | | | | from materials that are light and breathable. These |
| toenails, calluses and bunions. Also, try checking your | | | | kinds of shoes stay on better and help avoiding falls. If |
| child's 'growth spurts' because when kids grow, their | | | | you have a school-age kid, there is a great assortment |
| feet grow too. It is advisable to buy new shoes for | | | | of suitable shoes, such as tennis shoes, sandals and |
| your child every 3 to 4 months, because it will keep | | | | even hiking boots. If you have an older child, you just |
| the fit suitable for their feet. Bear in mind that shoes | | | | have to follow the first two questions and pick the |
| really needn't to be "broken in". When a shoe is not | | | | best shoes for your kid. |