FIRST STEPS AND TODDLERS

 

 

At around 12 months most children begin standing and walking. Within the first 12 months the 52 bones of the feet, almost a quarter of the bones of the body, will have begun to calcify. At this age children’s feet are still beginning to form and it is natural for all children at this age to have pronated feet. No intervention for this pronation is necessary.

 

 

The soles of the feet normally harden slightly as a protective measure and any footwear should still be soft soled so as not to be constrictive, to allow a normal gait and to allow the development of the muscles and tendons of the feet to assist with balance.

 

By the age of three children are learning to run, skip, hop, jump and peddle. Again, shoes should offer protection from injury and cold but still allow mobility for the foot muscles, tendons and joints. The shoe should also be securely fastened to the foot to prevent heel slippage when moving.