The first 12 years of your child’s life is vital to establishing a lifetime of good foot health. This period represents a time of rapid foot growth. During the first year of their life, a child’s foot will grow to half their adult size and by age 12 they are almost 90 percent of their adult size. Inappropriate footwear and activity can alter the development of the foot and lead to long term problems.
Footwear
Children do not need shoes until a few months after they begin to walk. First shoes should have a soft, flexible sole to allow your children to receive the important sensory information they receive from the soles of their feet.
It is important to have school shoes properly fitted. A supportive, leather lace up shoe is the best option, as leather allows the foot to ‘breathe’ and a lace up shoe will give good support to the foot.
Foot care and Hygeine
It is important to teach your children the correct way to cut their toenail to prevent In grown toenails and to dry carefully between their toes to prevent tinea (athlete’s foot) from developing.
If you have any concerns about your child’s foot or walking pattern (gait), do not hesitate to bring them in for a consultation with our Podiatrist. At Richmond Podiatry we love seeing children and have a special interest in Paediatric Podiatry- and are members of the Paediatric Special interest group of the Australian Podiatry Association.
