Back to School: What Parents Should Know About Kids' Foot Health
If you're shoe shopping for the new school year, you're probably thinking about size and durability — not about how your kid's foot is actually functioning. But growing feet aren't just small adult feet — they move, load, and develop differently, and that changes what to look for. Here's what we look for when we assess kids' feet, and what's worth paying attention to as your family shops this fall.
What's Different About a Growing Foot?
A child's foot is still developing well into their teenage years. The bones are softer, growth plates are active, and the arch that will eventually support their adult body weight may not have fully formed yet.
Flexibility - a young foot flattens and moves more than an adult foot, which is often completely normal and not something that needs correcting on its own
Growth spurts - feet can grow multiple sizes in a single school year, and shoes that fit perfectly in September may be too tight by January
Compensation patterns - if a shoe doesn't support how a child's foot naturally moves, they may start walking differently to compensate, a pattern that can carry forward if it isn't addressed early
What Does It Actually Look Like?
Most kids don't complain about foot pain the way adults do — they avoid activities, seem clumsier than usual, or just get quiet about it. A few patterns worth paying attention to:
Uneven shoe wear - one side of the sole wearing down noticeably faster than the other
Toe walking or in-toeing - toe walking is common in the toddler years and often eases on its own; in-toeing has a few different causes, and while the most common form in school-age kids tends to improve with growth by around age 8, every child's timeline is different, and it's worth having it looked at if you're unsure
Complaints during or after activity - tired legs, sore feet after sports or a full day at school, or reluctance to keep up with peers
Why Does It Happen?
Kids' foot and gait patterns are shaped by a mix of natural development and what's actually supporting their foot day to day.
Footwear fit - shoes that are too small, too stiff, or don't flex where a foot naturally bends can change how a child walks without anyone noticing right away
Arch development timeline - arches generally develop over the early childhood years, and a flat-looking foot in a younger child is often just part of normal development rather than a concern on its own; every child develops at their own pace, so it's more about the overall picture than a specific age
Alignment through the leg - since foot position affects the knees and hips, it matters more for kids who are active in sports or growing quickly
Not All Shoes Are Built the Same
Shoe shopping for kids often comes down to price, colour, and whatever they'll actually agree to wear. The good news is that a well-built shoe doesn't have to be expensive, what matters most is fit and basic structure, not the price tag.
Proper fit - enough room to grow without being sloppy; a shoe that's too big can cause as many problems as one that's too small
Flexibility placement - a good kids' shoe should flex where the foot naturally bends, at the ball of the foot, not through the middle of the shoe
Heel counter support - a firm, structured heel cup helps keep the foot stable; a soft, collapsible heel offers little support where it's needed most
Toe box shape - kids' toes need room to spread and grip; a narrow or tapered toe box can crowd developing toes over time
You can find shoes with decent fit and structure at many price points — it's more about knowing what to check than what to spend. If you're not sure what to look for, we're happy to walk through it with you.
How We Assess It
Gait and pressure analysis - looking at how weight moves through the foot during walking to see whether it's distributed evenly or concentrated in one area
Footwear guidance - helping you choose shoes that actually support how your child's foot moves, not just what fits off the shelf
Over-the-counter insoles or arch supports - for mild, general discomfort in an otherwise healthy, active kid, an over-the-counter option can be a very reasonable first step for correcting flexible or flat feet
Custom orthotics, when appropriate - built from a cast of your child's foot for cases where more structured, individualized support is warranted
Every recommendation starts with an assessment — what works well for one child's foot may do very little for another's, so we're not going to suggest an orthotic (or even an over-the-counter option) before we've actually looked at what's going on.
When to Come In
If your child is heading back to school this year, it's a good time to have their feet looked at — especially if you've noticed uneven shoe wear, complaints after activity, or a walking pattern that looks different than you'd expect. A pedorthic assessment is quick and low-pressure, and gives you a clear picture of what's actually going on before you commit to another pair of shoes.
We see families from Nelson, Kaslo, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland, and across the Kootenays, and back-to-school season is one of our busier times for kids' assessments. If you have questions or want to book an assessment, please reach out to us and ask how we can help. https://kootenaypedorthic.ca/contact