Gabriel J. Halperin, DPM
3616 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90063


3616 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90063


Children's Shoes

Choosing shoes for your children can play a critical role in their musculoskeletal development, including their posture in later years.

In general, infants just learning to walk do not need shoes; the child may go barefooted indoors, or wear only a pair of socks. This helps the foot grow normally and develop its muscles and strength, as well as the grasping ability of toes.

Here are some tips when purchasing shoes for children:
  • Both feet should be measured, and if two different sizes, shoes should be chosen that fit the larger foot best.







A soft, pliable, roomy shoe such as a sneaker is ideal for all children. The toe box should provide enough space for growth, and should be wide enough to allow the toes to wiggle. (A finger's breadth of extra length will usually allow for about three to six months' worth of growth, though this can vary depending on your child's age and rate of growth.)

If your child frequently removes his or her shoes, those shoes may be uncomfortable. Check your child's feet periodically for signs of too-tight shoes, such as redness, calluses or blisters. And have your child's feet measured periodically at the shoe store to determine whether his or her feet have grown enough to warrant a larger pair of shoes.

Remember that the primary purpose of shoes is to prevent injury. Shoes seldom correct children's foot deformities or change a foot's growth pattern. Casting, bracing or surgery are often needed if a serious deformity is present. If you notice a problem, have your child examined.
