Ever wondered whether your kids' toes and heels are meant to look the way they do? It's pretty normal to question your child's foot development, so in this post, esteemed podiatrist Anna Beetham lays it all out - just what you need to know to rest assured that your kid's feet are developing perfectly.
By Anna Beetham
6 Signs Your Child's Foot Development Is On the Right Track
In early development kids' feet are rapidly growing; in fact, not all bones are formed at birth. Babies are born with only 22 bones in each foot, but by the age of 5, this increases to our adult 26 bones. Skeletal (bone) maturity does not occur until approx. 13-15 years (female) and 15-18 years (male).
The first few years are crucial, as the bones in your child's feet are made of soft cartilage that gradually converts to bone over time. It is therefore essential that your child's feet are looked after from birth to ensure they are fit for life.
Browse our full range of prewalker baby shoes, including Soft Soles for girls and newborn shoes for boys including cute baby booties, casual sneakers, boots and sandals.
Here is an overview of the 6 signs that your child's foot development is on the right track:
- Distinguishable foot shape: by the age of 2, a child's foot shape should be clear and distinguishable as either tapered, rounded or square.
- Defined arch shape: the arch starts to develop around 2-3 years or age, and the arch should be visible and look normal by the age of 7.
- Confidence with walking (gait): children start to walk between 8-18 months, their confidence and ability to walk should improve over time signifying healthy foot development.
- Changing knee position: knee position is also important for foot and gait health. Children's knees are bowed for up for 2 years of age, be straight between 2-4 years, then Knock-kneed between 4-7 years and straight by 7-12 years.
- Growth spurts: children's feet grow rapidly in the first year of a child's life, and around ages 8-12. Periods of fast foot growth are totally natural through a childs development.
- Developmental foot and walking associated milestones: these are milestones that gauge a child's development, however, each child is unique and grows at their own pace.
Read more details about the 6 signs below. Remember, each child is unique and there are many factors that account for a child's development. The below are only indications of healthy foot development. Consult your foot health specialist if you have specific concerns for your child.
1. Foot Shape
By the time your child is 2 years old, their foot type/shape (that they’ve inherited from you) will become clear. The three main shapes are:
- Tapered – The biggest toe is the longest of all toes
- Rounded – The second or third toe is longer than the first
- Square – All toes are roughly the same length
At this stage, children's feet are still pudgy and bones and still developing however the toes and feet will have started forming an obvious shape.
Before the age of two, babies should only wear soft sole baby shoes that allow the feet to move naturally. Bobux's soft sole baby shoes are made of ultra-soft leather and designed to mould to the shape of the baby's developing feet, not the other way around.
2. Arch Shape
Babies are born with a pad of fat in the arch area making their feet look flat-footed as their foot and leg muscles aren't developed enough to support their arches when they first begin to stand.
The arch of the foot doesn't usually develop until around 2-3 years but by 7 years you should see a normal arch, once muscles have developed. Flat feet in children is a condition that can cause pain and difficulty walking. If you suspect that your child is suffering from flat feet, consult a podiatrist. Most of the time, flat feet in children do not require treatment and they will eventually develop healthy arches.
For ages 2-3, children should wear flexible shoes designed for first walkers. Bobux's 'Step Up' range is the perfect supportive and flexible shoes for little ones developing arches and finding their feet.
3. Walking (gait)
Children start to walk between 8-18 months with the average being 12-15 months. Most toddlers are flat-footed and slightly turned in, have a classically broad-based gait with a flexed (bent) knee and bowed legs. These positions will change as your child's strength improves and normal development of the lower limbs occur.
Explore our I-Walk range of quality toddler shoes including boots, sneakers, sandals, dress shoes and more.
4. Knee Position
A child’s knee position will change as they grow. As a knee position guide, it is normal for kids’ knees to be:
- Bowed until 2 years of age
- Straight between 2-4 years
- Knock-kneed between 4-7 years
- Straight by 7-12 years
- Knock-kneed again around 13-18 years
- And then finally straighten our permanently once adulthood is reached.
The above guide to knee position is important as the knee greatly effects walking ability and foot placement when walking.
5. Growth Spurts
Feet grow rapidly in the first year of a child's life reaching almost ½ their adult size. By 12 years of ages a child's foot is almost 90% of its adult size.
Growth spurts or rapid phases of growth tend to happen between 8-12 years for girls and 10-14 years for boys. These ages tend to mark a rapid outgrowing of shoes, orthoses and socks and makes the child seem more awkward and clumsy as they grow into their feet (and body).
6. Developmental Foot and Walking Associated Milestones
Milestones are skills and tasks that most children can do within a certain age range. These are just a gauge; it's important to recognise that each child is unique and will develop at their own rate.
2-3 years
- walk smoothly and begin to run
- walk up and down stairs without assistance
- walk on tip toes
- climb onto/down from furniture and play with equipment without assistance
4-5 years
- walk and run confidently around obstacles with sudden stops and changes of direction
- walk backwards toe to heel
- jump with two feet together over an object and land with feet together
- balance on one foot and hop 3-4 times
- perform skipping motion, albeit uneven after demonstration
- climb up and down stairs using one step at a time
6 years
- run lightly on toes
- walk with confidence balancing on a bean/log
- hop over a distance of approx. 2m
- begin skipping with a skipping rope
The Right Footwear For Healthy Foot Development
Footwear is imperative in the normal development of your child's feet. Correctly fitted shoes that function to enhance optimal movement, such as Bobux's kids shoes, are best for their foot health.
Normal wear patterns on footwear tends to occur on the central portion of the heel of the shoe up to ages 7-8 years. After this you’ll tend to see slightly more wear to the outside heel to the inside of the shoe as their gait changes. Checking for excessive (and/or asymmetrical) wear on your child's shoe will help you identify potential gait problems.
Discover the best shoes for growing feet below, shop by you child's stage:
- Soft Sole: soft leather shoes for newborns up to two years of age that allow natural movement and growth.
- Xplorer: flexible light-weight shoes for little ones aged 9 months to 2 years. Durable shoes for crawlers on the go.
- Step Up: shoes for first walkers finding their feet aged 9 months to 2 years. Durable soles with grip and fun designs.
- I-Walk: quality toddler shoes for all-day adventures. For toddlers aged 2-4 years.
- Kid+: The best kids shoes for growing feet, durable materials and designed for comfort and support for active feet.
Children come in all shapes and sizes and so do their FEET! Having healthy feet is vital to a child's development and unresolved problems can become major issues for them later in life.
If you’re worried about your child's foot development or gait, see a podiatrist who has experience with paediatric patients. Alternatively, learn more about kids' foot developmental stages today!
Learn More About Children's Foot Health With Bobux!
Bobux are here to help you find the best shoes for your child's development. Discover the Bobux blog for more helpful articles, tips and tricks.
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