Best Orthotics for Kids with Moderate or Strong Pronation

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on February 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of the best orthotics for kids with moderate or strong pronation.

Have you noticed your child walking or running differently lately? Has your child been falling 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’s Shoes and 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 on a child’s life. It is amazing how something so simple 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 in 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 structures 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 means that orthotics 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 are 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:

best-orthotics-for-kids-with-hypermobility

Wow! What a difference the correct pair of orthotics can make!

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.

orthotics-for-toe-walking-children — *The orthotic I recommend provides a deep heel cup that helps control the alignment of the heel and lower leg.*

orthotics-for-toe-walking — *The orthotic I recommend provides medial and lateral flanges to help keep the foot aligned over the orthotic.*

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

flat-footed-toddler — *A child with a flat foot with moderate pronation* standing barefoot.

children-with-flat-feet — *A child with flat feet with moderate pronation* standing barefoot.

Examples of Children’s Feet with Strong Pronation

child-foot-with-strong-pronation — *A child with a flat foot with strong pronation* standing barefoot.

kids-with-flat-feet — *A child with flat feet and rolled ankles with strong pronation* standing barefoot.

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.

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.

supportive-kids'-shoes — *Notice how the shoe on the right has a supportive outsole compared to the shoe on the left.*

Firm heel counter: This feature is going to support your child’s heels and ankles.

kids'-shoes-with-heel-support — *Notice how the shoe on the right has a firmer heel counter compared to the shoe on the left.*

Correct amount of flexibility: Your kids’ shoes should always bend at the ball of the foot but no further.

kids'-shoes-with-the-correct-amount-of-flexibility — *Notice how the shoe on the right provides the correct amount of flexibility while the shoe on the left flexes like a spiral.*

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 Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)

Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet

Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles

Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability

Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size