| Buying as good pair of shoes for your baby or | | | | that are sewn are very much stronger than glued |
| toddler can be a difficult business, and also an | | | | ones, and with the rough treatment likely to be |
| expensive one. Trying to squeeze your fractious | | | | encountered on a toddler's feet, durability is |
| child's foot into yet another pair of shoes whilst | | | | important. |
| listening attentively to the assistant explaining the | | | | Another aspect to consider is how the shoes will be |
| virtues of this particular brand, style and shape can | | | | done up. Laces look classic, and are harder for the |
| become a monumental task and one liable to cause | | | | child to undo themselves, especially if they are tied in |
| you to lose your nerve very easily. When faced with | | | | a double knot. The laces can also be used to pull the |
| the astronomical cost of shoes for toddlers it can | | | | sides of the shoe together evenly, and creates a |
| seem tempting to purchase cheaper alternatives. | | | | better chance of the shoe remaining on the foot. |
| Certainly supermarkets offer a wide choice of | | | | Velcro on the other hand is much quicker and easier |
| children's clothing lines, including shoes, and for a very | | | | to do up and undo. However, your child will quickly |
| good price. | | | | realise this themselves, and along with the incredibly |
| However, the problem is that shoes for toddlers are | | | | satisfying ripping sound they discover they can make |
| of paramount importance. Two things will be | | | | with it, they'll be undoing their shoe faster than you |
| happening to your toddler at the same stage that | | | | can put it back on their feet, and this can lead to all |
| they need shoes. The first is that they are learning | | | | sorts of problems. |
| to stand, walk and run, all of which require good | | | | The style and pattern of the sole of the shoe will be |
| balance, control, grip and confidence of movement. | | | | important too. Having a good tread will help |
| The second thing is that their bones, muscles and | | | | enormously in providing s good grip, especially when |
| joints will all be growing, developing, strengthening | | | | they try their hand (or foot) at mountaineering, |
| and prone to being easily misshaped or damaged if | | | | wanting to climb up every step, get up on to every |
| the wrong type of shoe is worn. Cheap shoes offer | | | | object they can and generally try getting |
| little support, and it can lead to the child developing | | | | everywhere. A deep, reliable tread will help them to |
| bad posture, or even weakened or distorted joints, | | | | gain their balance and learn to trust their judgement |
| including bow leggedness. | | | | more when walking and running. |
| As far as children's shoes are concerned, particularly | | | | If in any doubt, use two critics when buying your |
| in the early formative years, it is well worth spending | | | | toddler shoes. Use the trained professional who will |
| the extra money on a really good quality pair of | | | | help you choose shoes which are appropriate, |
| shoes. Not only will they provide much greater | | | | supportive and the right size. But make sure you |
| support and encourage good posture and walking | | | | listen to your toddler too. If all they want to do is sit, |
| technique, but they are far more likely to last. | | | | or take their shoes off, then maybe another choice |
| Cheaper shoes tend to have glued seams, whereas | | | | might be worth a look. |
| more expensive shoes are sewn. Seams on shoes | | | | |