HOW TO MEASURE KIDS FEET
Read on, and you'll learn what you should look for and how often to do it.
SOME HELPFUL INFORMATION AND TIPS
Children grow up so fast. And just like the right clothing, well-fitting shoes are vital for their healthy development.
• • • • • •RULE OF THUMBMeasure the distance between the longest toe and the end of the heel. In order to most accurately attain the correct shoe size, the child should only wear a light sock during the measurement process.
Tip: Draw a straight line on a piece of paper and place the child's foot on it. Mark both the heel end and toe end with a pen stroke and then measure the distance between these two markers.• • • • • •
Before buying shoes for your little ones, it's therefore essential to know how to measure children’s feet correctly. Read on, and you'll learn what you should look for and how often to do it.
And remember, Lounge by Zalando has a large selection of high-quality shoes and clothing for kids at bargain prices!
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW TO MEASURE CHILDREN’S FEET ACCURATELY?
Shoes which are too small or the wrong shape can be harmful to children. At a young age, the feet are soft and sensitive. This is because bones, ligaments and muscles don't fully develop until around the age of 16. Bad footwear can thus cause deformities which last into adulthood, triggering problems like fallen arches, which in turn can lead to poor posture and chronic pain. Making sure you how to measure kids feet correctly is therefore a long-term investment in the health of your child.
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME?
About every eight weeks, your child may be in need of new shoes, because the old ones have become too small. And it's around this time that you should measure their feet.
• • • • • •New shoes every eight weeks• • • • • •
Feet expand during the day, so take the measurement in the afternoon for the best results. Also, you should always measure both feet, since one is often bigger than the other. If that's the case, base the shoe size on the larger foot.
HOW TO MEASURE CHILDREN’S FEET
The surest way to get accurate results is with a child's foot measurement chart, which you can buy or print off the internet. Simply place the chart against a wall so that it is completely straight, and fix it to the floor. Place your child on the chart with their heels touching the bottom edge. The toes should be stretched, the foot spreading its weight evenly. Now draw the outlines of both feet, holding the pencil at a vertical angle. Alternatively, if you don't have a chart, you can trace your child's feet on a sheet of paper, then compare that to the shoes in the shop.
When learning how to measure children’s feet, you should generally add about 15 millimetres to the recorded foot length in order to calculate the optimum shoe size.
Buy the first pair of shoes at Lounge by Zalando as soon as your child's feet need protection.
HOW TO CHOSE THE RIGHT SHOES
The extra space is important so that your child can relax the foot in a natural way.
Here is a rule of thumb: Add 1/4" for adequate wiggle room for toes and proper foot growth. When buying children's shoes, you should pay attention not only to the length of the feet but also their width. Narrow feet need tighter shoes to provide a firm grip.
WHEN DO CHILDREN NEED SHOES?
Children usually take their first steps barefoot, and learning to walk is best done without shoes. You can keep out the cold with a pair of socks, and there are non-slip varieties available for when your child starts to crawl. However, as soon as the little ones take their first steps outdoors, the first shoe purchase is due. This generally happens when they're about ten to twelve months of age.
A child's first shoes should be soft and flexible to give the feet as much freedom as possible. And always go for a rounded shape – pointed shoes should be avoided as they don't provide enough space for the toes.
• • • • • •Flexible, round, made of natural materials• • • • • •
And last but not least, it's also important to pay attention to the quality of the little one's footwear. Ideally, children's shoes should be made of supple leather or natural materials such as canvas or cotton. These are strong and reliable, while also allowing your child's feet to breathe. Children's feet sweat more than adult ones. So it's reasonable to have at least two pairs of shoes on the go, so that one pair can be aired while the other is in use.
Otherwise, fungi and bacteria can take root and lead to infections. Also, it's best to avoid hand-me-downs. Each child wears in their shoes differently, so to give your child's feet the best chance of developing healthily, it's wise to stick to new shoes only.
Needless to say, you'll find plenty of children's shoes and clothing from top quality brands at Lounge by Zalando at fabulous prices.