Finding the right size of an athletic shoe is usually not a concern for an adult because growth is no longer an issue. For children, not only is finding the right sports-specific shoe a concern, but size is also an issue since their feet are still growing. Therefore, because a growing child will need new shoes frequently, more questions arise.

You should ask yourself the following questions when selecting your child's shoes:

• How does the shoe fit?
• How is the shoe made?
• Is the type of shoe appropriate for your child's age?

The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society offers the following tips for choosing children’s athletic shoes:

The Proper Fit:

• Pay close attention to the shoe’s length, width, and depth. Poorly fitting children’s shoes cause toe problems, ingrown toenails, hammer toes, calluses and bunions. New shoes are needed every four to six months for children over 3 years of age because their foot increases one-half foot size during this length of time; seventy percent of children wear shoes with D and E widths; most boys wear E width and most girls wear D width.

Shoe Construction:

• Upper part
• Upper part of a child’s shoe should be made of leather, canvas or newer mesh materials.
• Children’s feet perspire more, so the upper part of their shoes should be breathable.
• Avoid man—made material such as plastic.
• Insole
• Make sure the insole is made of an absorbent material, and is padded.
• Special arch supports are generally not needed until the arch is fully developed somewhere between 6 to 8 years of age.
• Outer sole
• Provides traction, cushioning, and flexibility.
• Sticky and thick outer soles should be avoided because it can make young children clumsy and cause falls.
• Heel
• Older children can wear shoes with heels, but they shouldn’t be bigger than one inch because this can cause the foot to slide forward, making toes cramp against the shoe.

Other important tips include looking for reasonably priced, flexible, well-ventilated shoes that allow plenty of room for growth. If you have problems finding shoes that fit, or if your child develops calluses, sores, or other foot problems, consult your physician.

Source: American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.