Are the children in school or about to go back to school? Make sure that they are prepared for academic learning and physical activity with the right shoes! Foot pain from shoes that are not supportive or painful can be distracting for them. Give them the best foot forward as they start the new school year.
Your children will most likely need more than one pair of shoes. Make sure you focus on safety and support as you fit your children with new shoes:
- Everyday casual shoes – Shoes that they will wear to school on most days will wear out faster. This is especially true if they walk to and from school. Be sure to purchase shoes that are made of good material, have arch and heel support, and ample cushioning in the inner sole. If shoes lack these characteristics, orthotic inserts can help prevent foot problems.
- Everyday casual shoes part 2 – Does your child sweat excessively due to hyperhidrosis? We recommend that (s)he has at least 2 or more everyday shoes in the rotation. That way, each pair of shoes can dry out completely between wears. Drying shoes out will help prevent bacterial growth and foot odor.
- Uniform shoes – Most shoes that are a part of the uniform are made with supportive features. However, if your child needs extra support, you can use generic orthotic inserts. For specific needs, come in to see Dr. Macy for custom-made orthotics at our office.
- Sneakers for physical education – Not all casual shoes will be sneakers. That’s why you should make sure to have at least one pair of sneakers or running shoes in the rotation for PE class. Your child is also more likely to sweat during PE, which can feel uncomfortable when going back to academic classes.
- Shoes for sports – Do your children participate in after-school sports? Depending on the sport, your child might need cleats, wrestling shoes, cheerleading shoes, etc. These activity-specific shoes are designed with the movements they make while playing sports, so be sure to get the appropriate shoes.
Don’t forget to have your child measured and try shoes on before purchasing them. Additionally, growing feet shouldn’t experience growing pains. If they do, come to see Dr. Brandon Macy, our board-certified podiatrist at The New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute, at the Clark Podiatry Center. He will assess your child’s feet to keep him/her walking. Make an appointment today! Our office in Clark, NJ serves the Westfield area and surrounding Union County.