Toddlers and Shoes

This morning started with my 2.5 year old insisting on wearing "twacksut" pants and socks. Rightfully so as we had a cold snap and with the wind and sleet rain you'd think we were back at the beginning of Spring.

We went through the usual rigmarole of negotiating which top was appropriate to wear to childcare today and what would go with the slightly too short navy trackies. In the end we chose a lovely pink and white striped long sleeve tee that only had a few old stains on it and would be perfectly suitable for painting sans smock and play acting doctors and nurses with her current bestie "Audy".

Lastly we got to the shoes. It was definitely not the weather for sandals so I grabbed her usual multi-spot WALNUT Melbourne canvas Mary-Jane's out the wardrobe. We only got these in August so surely they would be fine. To my horror her toes were scrunched up and she was already complaining that they were too small. This is when it comes in handy having a children's clothing shop.

A quick stop by the shop on the way to childcare and problem sorted. She's always happy to try shoes on and I think sometimes she's turning into the Imelda Marcus of toddlers!

Getting your toddlers feet properly measured and investing in good fitting quality shoes is so important. Until they are 3 years old, or there about,  their feet are still developing. Most toddlers are actually flat footed when they start walking because their muscle strength and ligament stiffness are still to catch up to the rest of their physical development.

So here's a few tips about what you should look for when buying children's shoes. They don't have to cost the earth, but they do need to allow for growth and comfort.

• Select shoes that have lots of room for toes to move freely. Picking shoes that force the toe to taper in towards the middle toe can cause bunions later in life. 
• Have about a fingers width, or approximately 1cm, of space free at the front of the shoe. This allows for comfort and growth. You don't want too much or your child can trip over. 
• Look for a flexible sole for children under three years. Skeanie's range of infant and junior shoes have a flexible sole and are recommended by the American and Australian Podiatry Associations. My personal tip is that if you can't touch the toe to the heel of the shoe, don't buy it. 

• Look for natural, breathable materials such as leather and canvas. These materials are soft and pliable and allow your child to feel the ground underneath them whilst still protecting them. 
• Wherever possible, try to allow your children to go as barefoot as possible. It's the best thing for growing feet. 

My only other rule with shoes is that they must be ethically made. I wouldn't let my daughter work for $0.02 per piece in shocking conditions for over 80 hours a week. So I won't support someone else's child working in those conditions.

So that's it. Shoes sorted, for another couple of months at least! Now if only I could sort out this two year old not wanting to sleep thing as easily!! I'll take any tips you can give me.....