A child's feet can grow rapidly, so don't ever assume that your child still needs the same shoe size as last time. The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these additional shoe-shopping suggestions: Measure your child's feet before every new shoe purchase, no matter how recently the feet were last measured. Make sure the child is wearing typical socks as he or she is trying on shoes. Inspect the child's feet for any signs of irritation after trying on new shoes. Avoid buying secondhand shoes, which could spread a fungal infection. Inspect the heels of your child's existing shoes to look for signs of uneven wear. If found, it could indicate a foot problem that should be checked. Let your child participate in the shoe-shopping experience. Choose the size that accommodates the child's largest foot. Make sure the shoes are comfortable in the store.
