Raring2go! Banbury Bicester Burford: Cotswolds

Raring2go! ARTICLE
SUPPORTED BY THE CHILDREN’S FOOT HEALTH REGISTER
NATIONAL SHOE
FITTING WEEK 2019
FRIDAY APRIL 12 TH 2019
Most parents sigh when it comes to ‘back-to-school’
because buying uniforms and footwear isn’t cheap,
particularly if you have several children, or they are
at different schools. What parents may not realise is
that cheaply made clothing will not damage their
child’s h
could.
Feet are an important part of the body but greatly
misunderstood. Leonardo Da Vinci said, “the human
foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art”
and he was right. Neglecting foot health is like
neglecting eyesight and teeth, there can be instant pain
or discomfort, but more likely the problems may present
themselves some years later. A child’s foot is soft and
malleable and very young children cannot communicate
discomfort. Pain can also be overlooked if they are the
shoes they want! From a few pieces of cartilage in
infancy, developing into 26 bones in adolescence, fully
hardening (ossifying) around the age of 15-16, damage
may take place which at best can misshapen their feet,
and at worst can lead to serious health and mobility
issues, particularly for a diabetic.
Adjustable fastenings, leather uppers and natural leather
or cotton linings are best for growing, active feet.
However, some schools unfortunately insist on plimsol or
trainer wearing all day, rather than traditional school
shoes. Referred to as ‘soft constructions’ in the
footwear industry, these are not designed,manufactured
or advertised to be worn all day, simply for occasional or
sporting purposes. Without gentle support feet can
become flaccid, allowing them to flatten and spread (like
an elephant’s foot), putting strain on their arches.
Slip-on plimsols need to be fitted snugly or they create a
‘slip, trip and grip’ effect. Children claw their toes to
hold them on, but if fitted tightly they can cramp toes.
Claw/hammer toes and bunions could start to develop,
which are difficult and painful to fit in maturity. The thick
synthetic padding in trainers also allow hot little feet to
sweat, making an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and
fungal infections like athlete’s foot and verrucae’s etc.
Mushrooms are a fungus and they thrive in dark, damp,
warm conditions.
Regularly look at your children’s feet. Keep them clean
and nails trimmed. Replace socks when you replace
shoes. Professional measuring and fitting take time, skill
and knowledge no two pairs fit the same! A podiatrist
will always advise on foot health issues. Fit feet keep
you mobile, so do look after them at any age –
particularly growing kids!
The Society of Shoe Fitters is a charity reliant on
donations. They provide footwear and fitting courses to
healthcare and retail professionals, and advice and
leaflets to the general public.
The Children’s Foot Health Register represents shoe
shops that are dedicated to looking after the health of
standard of shoe fitting for young, growing feet. To
comprehensive training for staff
Less than a th
measurement
f
ate guage is only the st
establishing th
differently and
shoe, the brand, the mat
method.
you to a GP or
in later life.
Professional Shoe Fitting
so foot
le of
refer
e
Local retailers listed on the Children's Foot Register:
Groovy2shoes: Stow on the Wold
Charles Clinkard: Banbury and Witney.
George Lewis Footwear: Cheltenham
is
25