We work in exclusive partnership with French podiatrists, grouped within the Union Française pour la Santé du Pied, in the development of our range of “first steps” shoes. Our models recommended by foot health professionals have all the technical characteristics necessary for the proper development of a child's foot.
Podiatrists
Learning to walk
Walking is a fundamental stage in a child’s development. It occurs around the age of one but this is only an average: each child is different, they will start when they have gained enough tone and confidence.
To successfully walk, the baby first goes through a succession of stages which allow him to stimulate and develop his muscles, improve his coordination and find balance. Turning around, sitting down, crawling on your stomach, walking on all fours are all possible processes. Each child sets up his own mode of movement, sometimes one after the other, sometimes by combining them.
Then comes the time to take the first steps, standing on his own two feet. This is an important step, which should not be rushed. The foot is a very sensitive organ which collects and transmits a lot of information necessary for the child to learn, which is why it is advisable to leave him barefoot inside the house. This will allow him to better feel the ground, its roughness, to perfect his balance and develop his ability to move. When the child has acquired enough confidence he can begin to discover the outside world. This is when it is important to choose a good first-step shoe.
What is a good first-step shoe ?
Materials and linings, upper height, buttresses, hard toes, soles, assembly technique are all elements to take into consideration: a quality shoe is a set that results from know-how. Our recommended models have been examined by a UFSP committee, following a precise list of more than twenty specific technical characteristics.
The “first steps” shoes must be made of quality materials, lightweight and equipped with a flexible sole for smooth movement of the foot. They have a high upper with lacing, for optimal support of the ankle and instep. The presence of a pronounced asymmetrical heel counter, reinforcement placed at the rear, protects against any lateral twisting of the shoe. The hard toe will effectively protect the child's toes.
Contrary to popular belief, first steps should not offer support or arch. This could hinder the natural development of the arch support muscles. Gradually, the muscles and tendons will strengthen to reach a first level of stability around the age of 4.
Approximately every three months, it is advisable to check whether the child's foot has grown. To do this, you can measure the distance between the heel and the toe using a sheet of paper, our printable pedimeters or a professional pedimeter. This measurement is ideally taken at the end of the day.
Our in-store teams are available to advise you and help you choose the shoe best suited to your child's needs.