how do babies shoe sizes work

 

A couple of weeks ago, I visited a friend’s house with my daughter and her two-year old friend. Her parents left the room to get a coffee and asked me to entertain their child while they got some adult time – as if that would be possible.

I popped into the closet, handed each girl a pair of shoes and took them outside to see what they could find in their big backyard garden. They looked all around the grass, tried on one or two pairs of shoes before deciding they weren’t comfortable enough and plucked out a few weeds instead. A few minutes passed with no mention of them coming back inside so I decided to rejoin them in the living room for coffee.

That’s when the tears. ‘I’m sorry, but it just doesn’t fit me!’ My daughter was crying over a pair of shoes she had been wearing for almost an hour.

 

Image source: https://pinterest.com/

It’s extremely common for young children to find it difficult to discard worn-out clothing items and toys, even when they no longer want them. Children aren’t used to the idea that they need to let go of things when they don’t work because they have only had things that worked well in their lives.

We can help kids understand that their small shoes will not last forever and should be replaced when they start to break down. Shoes are made for a reason, so there’s a logic behind the sizing of them.

What is a shoe size?

Shoe sizes are not actually the same size as you or anyone else’s feet but are based on what the child’s feet have grown to. Shoes follow the same basic sizing system that other clothing items follow which is to consider a child’s age at their current height and then round up or down depending on their growth data.

 

Image source: https://www.target.com/

When buying shoes for children, think of their current age and then add or subtract three to five months to the end. If you find that the shoe size is too large or small for their feet, look for the next bigger or smaller pair of shoes that fit comfortably. Also remember to consider how your child’s feet will grow before choosing a shoe size.

For example, if your child is currently wearing a size 6 and they will be two years old in the next month, it’s best to buy a new pair of size 7 shoes in preparation for their next pair of shoes that will be ready at around three years old.

The shoe size should fit as snugly as possible. If it’s too loose, the child will have difficulty walking or standing up in their shoes and may develop foot problems such as bunions and corns. If the shoe is too tight, they won’t be able to sit comfortably and will be unable to get their feet into the shoes at all.

What are kids’ feet like?

Over time, our children’s feet change shape and become more flat-footed. They also grow from a little on the side to being perfectly round on both sides just like adults. However, they won’t really begin to show this shape until they start walking around six months old.