Best Orthotics for Kids with Moderate or Strong Pronation – Let’s Treat Your Child’s Foot Condition!

March 15, 2025 Orthotics/Insoles Juan Valenzuela 4 - Comments

Has your child’s walking or running changed recently? Are they tripping or falling more often? While some parents are told their child’s flat feet or walking issues will resolve on their own, many kids with moderate or strong pronation need more support. Early intervention with orthotics for kids can help prevent future problems and improve their gait and posture.

Trust your instincts as a parent—you know your child better than anyone else. If something feels off with their feet, don’t ignore it. I’ve helped hundreds of children with flat feet improve their walking, balance, and overall comfort just by fitting them with the right shoes and orthotics.

Is it Normal for Children to Have Flat Feet?

Between the ages of one and five, it’s completely normal for kids to have flat feet—almost every child under four does. However, not all flat feet are the same, and the severity can vary. Early intervention can make a big difference, so why wait for your child to get older when misalignment could worsen?

Image of a child with flat feet standing barefoot.
An image of a child with flat feet and a moderate degree of pronation standing barefoot.

Children under the age of five don’t have pain, they don’t complain, but they have a treatable condition. At the age of six, children are not supposed to have flat 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.

Images of Children with Moderate and Strong Pronation

child-with-flat-feet
Here’s a close-up of a child with flat feet and moderate pronation standing barefoot.
An image of a child with flat feet and moderate pronation standing barefoot.
Here’s an image of a child with flat feet and strong pronation standing barefoot. Notice how the foot is heavily collapsing inward.
child-with-flat-feet-and-a-strong-degree-of-pronation
Here’s an image of a child with flat feet, weak ankles, and strong pronation standing barefoot. You can see how the feet are collapsing inward, creating added stress on the ankles.

Why Orthotics Matter

Orthotics are specially designed inserts placed inside shoes to correct and support the natural alignment of the foot. They help to distribute pressure evenly across the foot, alleviate pain, and improve overall foot function. For children with moderate or strong pronation, orthotics can be life-changing, enabling them to move comfortably and confidently.

Before and After: The Impact of Orthotics

Parents often wonder about the effectiveness of orthotics. While each child’s experience will differ, many see a remarkable improvement in comfort and function. 

Here we have an image of a child with flat feet and weak ankles standing barefoot.
Here’s the same child wearing the recommended orthotics. See how their feet are straighter? The deep heel cup and medial/lateral flanges are perfectly aligning their feet.

Key Features of Kids’ Orthotics

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 cause the foot to be flat such as the heels.

Here’s a close-up of the orthotic I recommend, featuring a deep heel cup designed to improve alignment by stabilizing the heel and lower leg, promoting better posture and foot function.
The orthotic I recommend provides medial and lateral flanges that help maintain proper foot alignment, ensuring stability and support throughout the entire stride.

My Experience as a Shoe Fitter

I work closely with physical and occupational therapists to find out what works best for children. This collaboration ensures that the orthotic solutions we offer are not only effective but also tailored to each child’s specific needs. By integrating expertise from various fields, we can provide a comprehensive approach that addresses all aspects of foot health and development.

One of the most recommended options for kids with moderate or strong pronation is LittleSteps orthotics. These orthotics are specifically designed to support children’s feet by providing the necessary structure and alignment. Made from high-quality materials, LittleSteps orthotics are both durable and comfortable, ensuring that your child can wear them throughout the day without discomfort. 

Best Orthotics for Kids with Moderate or Strong Pronation

The design of LittleSteps orthotics helps to guide the foot into a more natural position, reducing strain and improving function. This correction not only alleviates immediate discomfort but also supports proper foot development.

littleSTEPS orthotics for kids with flat feet and overpronation.

1. Order littleSTEPS® Orthotics from their official website. You must submit a Referral Code to complete your order: JVFCS100121

2. It’s not necessary to remove the original insoles of the shoes when fitting this orthotic.

3. The 3/4 length design makes it easier to fit into various shoe styles.

4. Take a look at this chart to figure out what size to order based on your child’s shoe size.

What Type of Shoes Are Best for Orthotics?

Orthotics work best when paired with supportive shoes. Shoes should provide a stable base, with features such as a firm heel counter, a wide toe box, and a flexible sole. These features collectively support the foot’s natural movement while providing the necessary stability and comfort.

1. Stable base of support: This helps keep the orthotic in place and distribute weight evenly across the foot to alleviate stress on the arches.

supportive-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet
Notice the difference in support: the shoe on the right features a sturdy, supportive outsole, while the one on the left lacks the same level of support.

2. Firm heel counters: To support the heel and prevent excessive movement. This feature helps maintain proper heel alignment, reducing the risk of overpronation.

children's-shoes-with-heel-support
The shoe on the right features a firmer, more supportive heel counter, providing better stability, while the shoe on the left lacks that feature.

3. Correct amount of flexibility: To promote natural foot movement while maintaining support.

children's-shoes-with-the-correct-amount-of-flexibility
Notice the difference in flexibility: the shoe on the right flexes at the toes but not further, while the shoe on the left twists unnaturally like a spiral.

If you’re looking for the best supportive shoes for kids who wear orthotics, I’ve put together a helpful resource that highlights the top options on the market. These shoes are designed to work seamlessly with orthotics, offering features like a deep heel cup, flexible outsoles, and roomy toe boxes for maximum comfort and support.

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.

Contact Me with Any Questions

If you have concerns about your child’s foot health or need guidance on selecting the right orthotics, please feel free to contact me via email. I’m here to help and can provide personalized advice based on my experience as a shoe fitter. 

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.