Kids shoe shopping tips

ALAN BORODITSKY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

As summer comes to a close, parents are getting kids ready for school and shoe sales are on the rise in malls and stores all over the city. It's at this time that our kids start begging for the most fashionable new shoes to wear to school. It was only this morning that my oldest son insisted on wearing his favorite "skater shoes" to sports camp at the Richmond Country Club. Needless to say, they fall off of his feet when he runs, but he and all his pals at Vancouver Talmud Torah love them.

While parents may want to keep their children happy, it's important to remember to first keep their children safe and healthy, and that goes for the feet, too. Parents should understand the importance of buying properly fitted and supportive shoes that offer protection and comfort.

Unfortunately some of the most trendy shoe styles do not provide proper support for the feet. Certain shoes, such as platforms and sandals, can cause serious problems, such as ankle sprains, ingrown toenails, bunions, blisters, calluses and painful tendonitis. Parents should know that the condition and fit of the shoe is more important than any price tag or brand name.

Here are some tips to help make sure students are in the best pair of shoes for the first day of school:

1. Check out the shoe itself. Look for stiff material on either side of the heel, adequate cushioning and a built-in arch. The shoe should bend at the ball of the foot, not in the middle of the shoe.

2. Have your child's feet measured every time you purchase new shoes, as children's feet change sizes rapidly.

3. Shoes should not slip off the heels.

4. High-tops or boots generally help prevent ankle sprains.

5. Limit the time children wear platform or heeled shoes. Alternate them with good quality sneakers or flat shoes during the day.

6. Don't buy shoes that need a "break in" period. Good shoes should feel comfortable right away.

7. For athletic activities, choose a shoe that is designed for the sport your child will be playing.

8. Be aware that children might not complain about their foot discomfort. That means they may be walking around with foot pain now, thinking it's nothing serious. Communicate to your children the importance of healthy feet.

Proper foot care is important to the overall health of children. Go to a podiatrist at the first sign of foot problems. For more information on children's foot care, visit www.alliedfootspecialists.com or call 604-878-FEET (3338).

Dr. Alan Boroditsky is a Vancouver podiatrist.

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