13 Jan It’s 3 weeks before it’s BACK TO SCHOOL!! ( and all the children groan while the parents rejoice!! )
That means it’s time to get new shoes 
for the new school year!
How do you know if you are buying the right School shoes for your child 
Did you know that what is the Right shoes for one child may not be the right shoes for another child 
Here’s a quick guide to picking the right shoes for your child :
1. Have your child’s feet 
measured at the store to make sure that you are getting the right size shoes ( length and width) for your child. Most specialist children’s shoe shops will take the time to measure your child’s feet for size.
2. Once you know your child’s feet length and width, pick the shoe size that gives you about a thumb nail width of growth between your child’s longest toe ( usually the big toe) to the end of the shoe. Do not be tempted to buy a shoe 2 sizes larger so that you can get 1 year’s growth out of it! 
Most children will undergo a growth spurt at least twice a year and sometimes more frequent! So buying shoes 2 sizes too large will mean that your child is likely to be tripping on their own feet in the first few months, and then have a few months of correct fit and then eventually be feeling too tight in their shoes after 12 months. The other issue to consider is that, given the amount of running most children do at recess and lunch, the shoes are likely to have worn out after 6 months if not earlier.
3. Consider the material of the shoes and the amount of time your child will be wearing their shoes in school. If your child has to wear the one pair of black shoes all day long, then a pair of black trainers may be more suitable for your child. If your child wear their black shoes only when travelling in and from school, but change into white runners during the day, then leather black shoes are suitable and more supportive white trainers for running around all day. 
Lastly, if possible do not hand me down shoes to your younger child. This is because often the shoe inner soles has already been worn in by the first child and it no longer can provide support for the second child’s feet.
Happy Shoe Shopping! 