How to find the right summer shoes for kids

How to find the right summer shoes for kids

Protect your children with the proper footwear for the occasion.

Published by: Dayton Daily News

Summer means new ground for little feet to cover. Whether it’s sand, water, dirt or grass, kids will be busy running, swimming, climbing and jumping.

Improper foot support can lead to aches, pains and sprains.

Shoes to avoid

“As a mom, it’s hard not to buy all of the cute shoes that are out for summer! However, in order to prevent tripping and maintain good contact with the foot bed of the shoe to improve support, it is best to avoid flip-flops,” said Dana Gifford, physical therapist at Dayton Children’s Medical Center and mother of two.

Flip-flops can lead to problems including stubbed toes, blisters, arch and heel pain, tendinitis and sprained ankles.

Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann, pediatrician, author and expert for www.striderite.com, cautions against wearing flip-flops every day.

“Flip-flops do not offer kids enough protection or support for daily wear. They are fine for brief periods of time at the pool or beach.” Altmann said. “I see many children with foot pain after a long summer of walking barefoot or wearing unsupported sandals as well as injured toes and feet from sandals and flip-flops that lack protection.”

Shoes to consider

If parents cannot resist flip-flops, Gifford advises choosing styles with a back strap.

“Sport-style sandals offer more coverage and support than flip-flops and are also a better choice than open-toed sandals for balance and support,” Gifford said.

Crocs can be an option if worn correctly.

“Crocs tend to be worn loose on the foot and therefore offer less support and stability. However, when they fit snug, they do offer good flex of the sole as well as being closed-toe and having a back strap,” Gifford said.

Shoes for toddlers

Gifford advises that toddlers and new walkers, because they have developmentally flat feet, do not need arch support from a shoe, but instead require a shoe that provides a substantial amount of flex to allow their feet to move freely.

“Toddlers benefit from closed-toe shoes that are relatively close-fitting (don’t allow a lot of wiggle room side to side). Open-toed shoes do not provide the amount of stability that a closed-toe shoe does,” Gifford said. “They are learning many new gross motor skills and require good support for all of the challenging new balance activities, as well as learning to walk in the grass, mulch or sand.”

Shoes for older children

School-age kids need more support and cushioning, and flexibility at the ball of the foot from their shoes. Preteens and teenagers’ feet are nearing maturity and for those who play sports will require specific support from their shoes, Gifford said.

Right fit essential

Once you’ve found the right shoe for your child’s need, you need to find the right fit.

Because kids have feet that are slightly different in size, the larger foot should determine the shoe size, Gifford said. She recommends measuring the foot while your child is standing and allowing about a half-inch of growth room at the end of the shoe.

“Your child’s foot should not slip within the shoe when walking, nor should it be pushed against the sides of the shoe,” Gifford said.

Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association, advises parents to use the store’s measuring stick to obtain the length and width of their child’s foot as a starting point to finding the right fit.

Altmann recommends seeking out an expert for measuring toddlers’ feet.

Matching the right shoe to each summer activity is also important in protecting growing feet.

“I recommend that children wear sneakers during the summer for daily walking, running and jumping. There are many lightweight, breathable and washable options, with proper heel cushioning, mid foot support, flexibility, good traction and rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls. If you do want a sandal for summer heat and splashing in the water, choose a sneaker type sandal with cutouts and mesh — a much better choice than flat, non-cushioned flip-flops,” Altmann said.

Please call the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center office anytime @702-878-2455 between Monday – Friday and we would be happy to set up an appointment for you.  Please visit our website @ www.FallCenter.com or www.walkwithdiabetes.com.   The Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center has Diagnostic imaging:  Digital X-Rays, Ultrasound or Advanced Imaging will be used to aid in the diagnosis.

Dr. Anthony Ricciardi at the Foot, Ankle & Lower Leg Center has completed training in endoscopic/minimally invasive surgery for chronic heel pain and nerve pain, foot and ankle joint replacement for restoring pain free motion, arthroscopic surgery, bunion surgery, fracture repair, flat foot correction, external fixation for complex deformities and extensive experience in peripheral nerve surgery including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and reconstructive surgery of previously failed foot surgical procedures.  In addition to his surgical training Dr. Ricciardi focuses on sports medicine of the foot and ankle through regenerative techniques using the patient’s own blood/platelets for healing chronic foot and ankle problems (pain) as a result of repetitive sport injuries.  This cutting edge technology enables patients to continue training with little or no down time.  Dr. Ricciardi continues to be active in teaching and training other podiatric surgeons on innovative surgical techniques in foot surgery.  Dr. Ricciardi is Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Fellow of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons.  Dr. Ricciardi’s vision is to bring each patient the most current state of the Art Technology and personalized treatment options to meet their Foot and Ankle needs (from conservative care to surgical options).  Dr. Ricciardi believes in quality service and puts his patients first!