Buying shoes for a child is an everyday job, and the fit is easy to get slightly wrong. Here is what to check in the shop.
The short answer
Children's shoes should fit well now and leave room for growth. APMA says the most important thing to consider when choosing children's shoes is how they fit and accommodate future growth, so fit and growing room are the two checks that matter first.
Why growth changes the answer
Foot Health Facts (ACFAS) says your child's feet can grow up to two sizes in six months, so you need to account for growth when buying shoes. A pair that fits perfectly today can be tight sooner than you expect, which is why a quick re-check every so often is worth doing.
The back-to-school shoe shopping tips from Foot Health Facts and the APMA guide to buying children's footwear both cover the shopping side in more detail.
Cost, skill and whether you can undo it
Checking fit costs nothing and needs no training. Have your child stand in the shoes, press gently at the toe end and watch how they walk. If a pair is wrong, you can swap it, which is why keeping the receipt is a sensible habit.
Checking the pair your child wears today
Check the fit of the shoes your child wears now. If a pair looks snug, move on to the next size rather than waiting.
Ask a podiatrist if your child complains that a foot hurts, or if something about the way they walk worries you. Families in Wood Dale and the nearby towns can take that question to a local professional.
A note for first-time shoe buyers
You do not need to know foot anatomy to do this well. Two checks, fit and room to grow, will take you most of the way, and you can repeat them as often as you like.