When it comes to children's shoes, many people wonder if they are just scaled-down versions of adult footwear. The answer to this question can vary, depending on who you ask. However, over the past decade, scientists have gathered valuable insights into the specific requirements for children's footwear, and these findings highlight that kids' shoes must have distinct features compared to adult shoes. This is due to the unique functionality, growth, and anatomy of children's feet, which are still developing. As such, they must be tailored to these specific needs, addressing factors like fit, flexibility, and the ability to transmit sensory feedback to the foot. Let’s dive into these factors and explain them in more detail.
Differences in motor skills between adults and children
The daily lives of adults and children are vastly different, and this affects their motor skills and physical activities. An adult's day is often one-sided: after driving to work in the morning, their day consists mostly of sedentary or standing tasks. In the evening, after work, it's typically a quick dinner followed by time spent in front of the TV. Sporting activity is rare for many adults.
When adults engage in activities, whether in their free time, during sports, or at work, they usually do so with determination, confidence, and a clear plan. There's often a drive for perfection, and little time is allocated for learning something new for the sake of fun. Adults tend to see themselves as finished products, with little room for uncertainty or the expression of insecurity.
Children, on the other hand, experience a very different life. They don't have the stress or specialization that often marks an adult's routine. Instead, children are naturally curious and eager to learn. They want to explore and try everything. Their motor skills are diverse and nearly limitless, even though they can sometimes be unsure, which is perfectly normal and not negative at all. Their daily routines are defined by play and exploration, and they are not bound by specialization, which could hinder their development. In fact, to achieve optimal growth — not just in terms of motor skills but also the foot — they need varied and dynamic physical activity.
Differences in Motor Skills:
|
Adult |
Child |
|
One-sided |
Versatile |
|
Determined |
Playful |
|
Finished |
Unfinished |
|
Programmed |
Learning |
|
Safe |
Uncertain |
Differences in the Structure of the Foot: Adult vs. Child
Children's feet are structurally different from those of adults. They are still growing, developing, and are much softer and more flexible. While an adult's foot has finished its development, a child’s foot is in a constant state of change.
Adult Child
Hard/firm Soft/loose
Finished Unfinished
Inflexible Flexible
Key Requirements for Functional Kid's Shoes
A child’s foot is constantly growing, which means that proper footwear is essential. Research shows that a child's foot can grow by up to one shoe size (roughly 6.66 mm) every two to three months, and in one year, it can grow by approximately 15 mm. This growth makes the fit of children's footwear an especially important factor — a beautifully crafted, expensive shoe will be rejected by the child if it doesn't fit properly.
In addition to allowing room for growth and proper width, the shoes must also provide space for forward thrust, as the foot is pushed forward with each step, causing it to elongate. When buying new shoes, there should still be a space of 0.8 cm to 1.0 cm between the tip of the big toe and the shoe.
Flexibility is Key
In addition to proper fit, flexibility is a critical requirement for children’s shoes. The foot’s development is closely tied to movement, and a shoe should allow for sufficient mobility. A flexible shoe should transmit enough functional stimuli to the foot’s sole and toes, encouraging the development of muscles and ligaments. To put it simply, the shoe, particularly the sole, should allow as much feedback as possible from the ground to the foot.
With the advancement of technology and materials, it's now possible to create flexible, functional children’s shoes. For example, using more flexible materials for the insole or directly bonding the sole to the shoe shaft without the need for rigid adhesives allows for a shoe that is both supportive and functional.
Versatile Functionality and Quality
Children’s shoes need to be versatile. Rather than being limited to a specific sport or activity, they should be an all-around option. They must meet other essential criteria like slip resistance, skin-friendliness, and superior quality to ensure the foot’s health and comfort.
Requirements for Functional Shoes for Children
- Proper fit
- Flexibility
- Versatile functionality
- Skin-friendliness
- High quality
Fashion vs. Foot Health
One final point to consider is the influence of fashion. As children grow, they begin to make their own decisions about which shoes to wear. Often, these decisions are driven by what’s trendy or fashionable, which doesn’t always align with foot health. Ideally, this happens when the foot's development is already complete. Until then, parents should keep in mind the importance of shoes that support natural growth and development.
Conclusion: Not Just a Miniature Version
Given the significant differences in motor skills, foot structure, and growth between adults and children, the idea of children's footwear being mere miniature versions of adult footwear is simply not true. Shoes for children must be specifically designed to meet the unique needs of their developing feet. They must support natural foot growth, flexibility, and offer the right balance of protection and sensory feedback. By considering all these factors, we can ensure that children have the right foundation for healthy foot development.
In our eshop we have a variety of barefoot shoes and arch supporting and orthopedic sandals. Our signature models being for boys and for girls. We dare say they fulfill all requirements on proper footwear for kids.
