Have you noticed your child walking or running differently lately? Has your child been falling down more often? Some parents take their children to their medical professionals because they notice something is wrong with their child’s feet, but in most cases, parents are told not to worry as the condition might resolve on its own.
I understand that you might still be worried. It is a fact that some children do outgrow having flat feet and their walking gait and overall posture improves as they grow, but many children don’t. Taking early action can save your child from developing so many different conditions along the line.
Please trust your parental intuition. You know when there is something wrong with your child, you are living with your child, not your doctor.
I have helped hundreds of children with flat feet improve their walking gait and balance by simply fitting them in the correct pair of shoes and orthotics.
My Experience Fitting Children in Orthotics
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for the last 10 years, and we specialize in helping children with foot problems, such as flat feet, rolled ankles, low muscle tone, hypermobility, toe walking, etc.
Several physical and occupational therapists refer children to the shoe store to be fitted for the correct type of shoes and orthotics. While I am not a medical professional, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that the correct type of orthotics can have in a child’s life. It is amazing how something so simply such as fitting a child in the correct type of orthotics can improve the child’s walking gait, balance, and overall posture.
I am experienced fitting children in AFOS, SMOs, full length orthotics, as well as 3/4 length orthotics. There is one specific orthotic that has proven to be the most effective one for children with moderate or strong pronation, and I will show you this orthotic shortly.
Is it Normal for Children to Have Flat Feet?
When children are between 1 to 5 years of age, it’s normal for their feet to be flat. Almost every child below the age of 4 has flat feet. However, not all flat feet are the same. There are different degrees of flat feet, and it can certainly be treated at any age. Why wait until age five when the child’s misalignment may well be more severe?
Children under the age of 5 don’t have pain, they don’t complain, but they have a treatable condition. At age of 6, children are not supposed to have flat feet.
Flat feet might cause your child a biomechanics problem at some point in your child’s life. It might not be on the foot, it might be the knee, the hip, the back, all of the structure and joints above the feet depend on the feet!
Can Orthotics Help Children with Flat Feet?
Orthotics are motion control devices that provide support to key areas of the foot. The correct type of orthotics can improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture tremendously.
If we can isolate the foot structure early enough with the correct type of orthotics, we can save a child from many different conditions along the line.
Will Orthotics Make Your Child’s Muscles Weaker?
There is a common misconception when it comes to fitting a child in orthotics and supportive shoes.
Orthotics don’t make the muscles “lazy” or “weaker”. They simply provide the child with structural support which is not going to take away from the musculature. This mean that an orthotic allow the child’s foot and leg muscles to develop on their own while supporting them.
What a Difference the Correct Type of Orthotics Can Make!
Let’s take a look at a flat footed child with rolled ankles standing barefoot. Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards? This child is also dealing with rolled ankles which is throwing the feet out of alignment:
Now let’s take a look at an image of the same child standing on a pair of the orthotics I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter? The deep heel cup and medial and lateral flanges are aligning the child’s feet in the correct position:
Wow! What a difference the correct pair of orthotics can make!
What Makes the Orthotics I Recommend Effective for Flat Feet?
Most parents of children with flat feet make the common mistake of assuming that they need to find an orthotic that provides good arch support.
When a child has a flat foot, you don’t only support the arch, you mechanically support the pieces of the foot that causes the foot to be flat such as the heels.
What are the Best Orthotics for Kids with Flat Feet?
The best type of orthotic for kids with flat feet depends on the degree of your child’s flat feet and rolled ankles.
Take a look at the images below to check if they look familiar. They are examples of children with moderate and strong pronation.
Examples of Children’s Feet with Moderate Pronation
Examples of Children’s Feet with Strong Pronation
There is one specific orthotic that I recommend that has proven to be the most effective one for helping children with flat feet who are dealing with moderate to strong pronation.
Best Orthotics for Kids with Moderate or Strong Pronation
To place an order for littleSTEPS® Orthotics, you must submit a Referral Code during the ordering process. Enter the referral code JVFCS100121 in the Discount Window and you will get 10% off your order.
You won’t have to remove the original insoles of your child’s shoes before placing this orthotic inside the shoes.
Toddler – Little – Big KidsCheck Price
Take a look at the chart below to figure out what size to order based on your child’s shoe size:
What Type of Shoes are Best for Orthotics?
Keep in mind that the shoes and the orthotics work together in helping treat and improve your child’s foot condition.
It’s important that your kids’ shoes provide these 3 important features:
- Substantial outsole: This feature is going to provide a stable base of support for your child’s feet.
- Firm heel counter: This feature is going to support your child’s heels and ankles.
- Correct amount of flexibility: Your kids’ shoes should always bend at the ball of the foot but no further.
Below is a selection of shoes that provide these 3 important features and are ideal for children who wear orthotics. All of these shoes are available in different widths such as medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW), so please choose the shoe width accordingly. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Toddler Sizes
Medium – Wide – Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide – Extra WideCheck PriceNarrow – Medium – Wide – Extra WideCheck PriceNarrow – Medium – Wide – Extra WideCheck Price
Little/Big Kid Sizes
Medium – Wide -Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide -Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – WideCheck PriceMedium – WideCheck PriceMedium – WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide -Extra WideCheck Price
To allow for growing room, I highly recommend that parents order these shoes half a size larger than their child’s current foot size. This translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.5 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
I always recommend shoelaces over velcro closure for children who need to wear orthotics inside their shoes. Shoelaces provide better support, stability, and help keep the orthotic in place better than shoes with velcro closure. I know this might sound frustrating to some parents of children who don’t know how to tie their shoes just yet but trust me that it does make a difference.
There is actually a shoe tying method I use to tie shoes for children who wear orthotics. Go to the link below:
How to Tie Shoes with Orthotics – Stop Heel Slippage
My Final Thoughts on Orthotics for Children with Flat Feet
Believe it or not, children with high arches tend to have more problems than children with flat feet. Remember that the earlier you start treating your child’s foot condition, the better!
Don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating your child’s foot conditions. If you are not satisfied with your medical professional diagnostic get a second opinion! Waiting for your child’s foot condition to resolve on its own might only lead to the condition getting worse.
There are 3 different degrees of pronation:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Strong
If you are unsure about the degree of your child’s pronation please follow the instructions on the article below and I will get back to you in less than 24 hours:
Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble finding a particular shoe for your child with flat feet. I have fitted dress shoes, sandals, and winter boots for children with flat feet so I will be able to show you the most supportive styles: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Leave a Reply