Parents Guide

Healthy Feet – Fit for a Lifetime

Feet are designed to carry bodyweight and give mobility and were famously described by Leonardo Da Vinci as "a masterpiece of engineering". Your child’s feet will be one of the hardest working parts of their body so it is vital that they are given the right care and attention – they will only get one pair!

If we look after them, most feet will walk around 100,000 miles, that’s the equivalent of 4 times round the earth in a lifetime.  Why is it then that we see specialists for eyes, teeth and even hair yet in many cases little attention is given to the feet?  Around 70% of adults suffer from foot problems caused by wearing the wrong type of footwear and the majority of these caused by wearing ill fitted shoes as a child.

Most babies are born with perfect tiny feet that are fit for a lifetime and delicate young feet are particularly sensitive and vulnerable.  Babies' feet do not contain bones, they have cartilage that is soft and pliable and can easily be misshapen by the wrong type of footwear. Infants' feet have changing needs as they develop and grow and at all of the European Sole Branches we have Shoe Fitters with a wealth of experience in helping you choose the correct footwear for your child.  Invest in your child’s future – care for their feet.

10 Tips for Parents

• Keep toenails trimmed straight across and not too short.
• Keep bedclothes loose and non-restricting.
• If your baby or toddler wears a baby-gro, ensure that it is big enough around the feet to allow full movement of the toes.
• Buy socks made from natural materials that allow the skin to breathe. Avoid stretch socks.
• Ensure that socks and tights fit well and check that the toe seams are not causing toes to rub.
• Don’t force your child to walk; they will walk when they are ready.  Instead try and enjoy each special stage of development while it lasts!
• While indoors and in a safe environment encourage your child to walk barefoot, this helps the foot to develop and strengthen.
• Always choose shoes that are soft and flexible and made from natural materials that allow the skin to ‘breathe’. An ideal shoe should also have adjustable fastening for a better fit.
• Polish your child’s shoes, this way they will look better and last longer.
• Ensure baby’s feet are exercised by encouraging baby to kick and stretch.

Exercise for Fun

If you feel like a bit of fun try the following exercises put together by The Society of Shoefitters.  They are designed to be fun to do with children and they will benefit you both!

Lose your Marbles

Pick up the marbles with your toes one by one and put them into a container. Not as easy as it sounds! Different sized bottle necks or jars, makes it a skilful game. (Not recommended for children under the age of three because of choking hazard) 

Move over Monet!

Choose a subject i.e. animal, fruit etc. and holding a pen or chalk between your toes, see what masterpiece you can create. For younger children take them outside with a bowl of water-based paint and an old roll of wallpaper and watch them make footprints and patterns with pieces of sponge.

Toe the Line

Children love to balance and will often copy circus performers walking the tightrope.  Roll out a piece of ribbon or string and ask them to tiptoe to the end.... then tiptoe backwards....If you fall off you have to start again.  If you think it’s easy – you try it!

Picnic Blanket

Lay a towel under your feet (sitting or laying) then gradually ‘claw’ it into a scrunched up heap.  Find the corners with your toes and smooth it back out again.

Bath Time

Whilst sitting in the bath pick up your sponge, flannel or anything else from the bottom.