A new school year is upon us, and your children will soon be home to tell you all about their first day at school. Hopefully this school year is the best yet for your child, and some of that comes down to their health throughout the school year. You can’t prevent the common cold from sweeping through the school, but you can help protect your child’s feet against overstress and acute injuries. In this blog, we share some tips for helping keep your child’s feet healthy throughout the school year.
The School Year And Your Child’s Feet
Here are a number of ways the new school year can challenge your child’s feet, and how to keep them healthy:
Overstressed – If they have to walk all over the school in order to get from class to class, they are going to be logging thousands of steps each day and upwards of a million steps each year in school. Make sure they are wearing the right shoe for the job. Function should come before fashion. High heels may look nice, but they aren’t going to support your child’s feet throughout the day. Make sure they have a comfortable and supportive shoe to wear regularly throughout the school day.
Gym Shoes – Also, make sure they have an appropriate gym shoe. Even if their everyday shoe could be used for sports, still invest in an athletic shoe that is designed for such activities. Not only will it help protect their feet, but it will also prolong the life of their school shoes.
Sports Shoes – Again, make sure your little athlete has the right shoe for their upcoming sport season. Kids are growing a lot during this time, so don’t just assume that last year’s cleats will work fine. Have their feet professionally measured and fitted to an athletic shoe based on their individual needs. If you have any questions on what might be the best option for their feet, feel free to bring it up to Dr. Silverman at your next consultation.
Quality Design – Back to school shopping can get expensive, but be sure that you aren’t pinching pennies when it comes to your child’s shoes. You don’t need to spend like crazy, but make sure you’re investing in a quality, durable and supportive shoe. Talk with the shoe fitters or read online reviews to make sure it’s a quality pair. They may grow out of them, but if they are well-designed, they may be an option for a younger kid down the road.
Stop Small Pains – Talk to your child about being open about any pain or discomfort they are dealing with. If they try to mask the pain or play through an injury, they can oftentimes make the problem worse. Missing practice or a couple games is better than being lost for the season and needing surgery, so talk to them about making good choices for their long-term health.