| Unlike adults, children's feet grow at an alarming rate. | | | | make sure you measure both feet and take the |
| As parents it seems that we forever need to buy | | | | longer of the sizes. |
| our kids new shoes. | | | | 5) Take the measurements in centimetres for |
| However one of the main problems that you are | | | | European sizes and inches for US sizes. All stores in |
| likely to experience when you buy your child new | | | | the UK will be able to tell you both measurements |
| shoes is not knowing their correct shoe size. And this | | | | for a shoe size. However as a rule of thumb for |
| can be very difficult. | | | | boys UK shoe sizes are ½ less than the US, |
| A shoe that fits properly is extremely important to | | | | and for girls it's 1½ less. |
| children, especially young children. As they learn to | | | | 6) When your children try on their shoes make sure |
| walk properly having the wrong shoe size can create | | | | they have room to wiggle their feet. Do the age old |
| complications with their growth and posture which | | | | trick of finding where their big toe is with your |
| they can carry into later life. | | | | thumb. If the big toe presses against the top of the |
| So again it is about getting them the right shoe size. | | | | shoe then the shoes are too small. Alternatively if it's |
| What follows is a rough guide to how to measure a | | | | too far down from the tip of the shoe then the |
| child's foot. It should make it a little easier to | | | | shoes are too big. |
| understand the correct shoe size to buy next time | | | | 7) Get your child to walk around in them and pay |
| you are shopping: | | | | attention to their heels. If your child's heel keeps |
| 1) All too often people try to measure shoe size | | | | slipping out of the shoe then it means that the shoes |
| without taking into consideration the extra room | | | | are too big. |
| needed in the shoe for socks. When you measure | | | | 8) Lastly make sure when buying shoes that you |
| your child's feet make sure that they wear the | | | | take into account the child's growth. So buy shoes |
| thickest socks they own or the ones they are most | | | | that are at a maximum half a size bigger - but no |
| likely to wear. | | | | more so. This way there is room for the child's feet |
| 2) Have your child stand up when taking the | | | | to grow into them. Remember children's feet grow |
| measurement. This way you can get a better idea of | | | | quickly so this makes economic sense. |
| the length and width of the child's feet - which is | | | | So there you have it. I would still recommend that |
| more difficult to achieve with the child sitting down. | | | | you get your child's feet measured properly as you |
| 3) Make sure you keep your child's feet flat. Children | | | | can get a much more accurate measurement in the |
| have the tendency to scrunch their feet and curl | | | | shoe store compared to home measurements. |
| their toes so be aware of this. | | | | Also if you have any doubts always ask a member |
| 4) Measure the foot from the heel to the big toe. If | | | | of staff to help out because that's what they're |
| you are doing this at home the best thing to do is to | | | | there for. However with these simple steps you are |
| draw a line down the middle of a sheet of A4 paper. | | | | in a much better position to make an informed |
| Then mark where the big toe is and where the heel | | | | decision about your children's shoes. And it will also |
| is. As the left and right foot vary slightly in length | | | | put you in a better state of mind in the process. |