As a podiatrist and a mum, I’ve seen firsthand the difference well-fitting footwear can make to a child, and not just physically. It’s about confidence in the playground: feeling steady enough to run, climb and keep up, and confident enough to walk up to other kids and play. You can see it in their posture and how they show up in the world. When kids feel comfortable and supported from the ground up, it changes how they move through their day.
One of the most common things we see in kids at The Foot Studio is footwear that doesn’t fit properly. And it’s tricky. Kids grow quickly, their feet change shape, and what fitted perfectly a few months ago suddenly doesn’t.
Five simple tips for fitting school shoes
1. Always measure both feet
It’s very common for one foot to be slightly bigger than the other.
2. Take the insoles out and stand on them
Have your child stand on the insoles and check the length. You’re looking for a good thumb’s width of room from the longest toe (and it’s not always the big toe) to the end of the shoe.
3. Test the shoes properly in the shop
Apologies in advance to the shop assistants, but make as much noise, movement and fun as you can. Don’t just walk up and down the aisle. Run. Jump. Go side to side. Crawl. Pretend to be a frog, or a kangaroo. Laugh, play and do all the things they’d normally do in them.
4. Spend time in them before deciding
If you can, wear the shoes in the shop for 15 to 30 minutes before making the final call.
5. Ask your child how they feel
Kids are incredibly intuitive and often know when something doesn’t feel right. Actually ask them: “What do you like about them? Is there anything you don’t like?” Leading with a positive question helps them open up.
The same goes for older kids
This advice comes naturally with little kids, but the same principle applies to older kids too. Whatever you want them doing in those shoes, get them doing it in the shop. Include them in the process and value their opinion on how the shoes feel.
Strong Steps Start Here
As members of the Australian Paediatric Podiatry Special Interest Group and the Australian Podiatry Association, we’re proud to support the Australian Podiatry Association’s awareness campaign, Strong Steps Start Here. Every great school year starts on the right (and left) foot.
School shoes aren’t just part of the uniform. They’re a piece of equipment that supports learning, play, confidence and growth. You might not realise how much well-fitting, comfortable school shoes matter until they’re not there, so it’s worth getting it right from the start.
If you’d like a podiatrist to check your child’s feet or footwear, you can read more about kids podiatry or book a kids pain and movement assessment.
Let’s keep our kids confident, active and moving well.