Footcare
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Q. Why wear Shoes?
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A:The role of a shoe is to protect and a foot to follow its shape. The look is of lesser importance that the fact that the child’s shoe “cooperates” with a child in all movements. A shoe needs to adapt to a foot rather than a foot to a shoe. Wearing shoes that are rigid, hard to bend and made of inadequate materials which imitate the adults’ shoes, is harmful for children’s feet. Inadequate shoes are often too short, too narrow, too low, too hard and can even have too high heels.
Free movement in a shoe enables proper muscle operation, good blood circulation and proper development.
The cap at the front part of the shoe needs to be broad and high enough in order to provide sufficient spacing for toes.
The sole needs to be soft so as to enable flexible walking and also to facilitate the work of the feet muscles.
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Q. What shoes should we choose for our child?
A: Children’s shoes need to be comfortable and functional. The material chosen for the production of shoes needs to be soft and natural – it should not harm the child’s foot. The inner material needs to absorb moistness, while the external material needs to repel it. These requirements are best met by top quality natural leather. Here at Zebedee we do our best to source these products for your children.
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Q. Why do physicians stress the importance of correct shoes?
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A: Because shoes form an essential part of children’s garments – they guard the function of feet and enable their correct development. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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Q. How can we be sure the shoes of the right size?
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A: Research shows that a large number of children wear inadequate size shoes. Very often they wear even up to three sizes smaller shoes than necessary, but sometimes they wear too large shoes. A shoe needs to be 6 mm larger than the foot in it. Children’s feet are very soft and the bones do not fully form until a child is around 7 years of age so a small foot can be easily put into small shoes. Development is of key importance to the structure of the foot (tendons, bones, muscles) as well as final formation of feet and acquiring firmness last until the end of the period of growing.
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Q. Can a shoe be too tight?
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A:Of course! Children of the same age have feet of different length and breadth. The breadth of a shoe creates the same problem as the length of a shoe.
Unhindered growth and development of small feet require a lot of space.
Little feet and toes develop best when children walk on some uneven surface because there they have absolute freedom of movement which is necessary for the correct growth and development. By standing, jumping and running without any shoes on, leg muscles are strengthened, and this is a precondition for a healthy and tough child’s foot.
The foot condition is best walking barefooted on natural elastic surfaces, such as sand, grass etc. Take your children’s shoes off as much as possible! ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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Q. When does a child need to be fitted with their first shoes?
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A: Do not rush to buy your child their first pair of shoes. Little feet are best developed without shoes. Forget about all the sales arguments about high, low, protective or any other kind of shoes. Your child will learn best to walk, run, and jump without wearing any shoes. I always recommend that the child can walk the length of the room. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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Q. Does the time of buying shoes matter?
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A: It certainly does. Feet increase by up to 4% during the course of the day: they become longer and wider. It is recommended to try and purchase shoes in the afternoon. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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Q. Measuring Feet
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A: Measuring feet is as important as regular check ups at the dentist. Choosing quality shoes in which your child’s toes can move freely in all directions and in a way that the foot is not tightened.
Below is an example of how your child’s foot should appear in their shoes.
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