Students in Alicia Reyes Elementary School in Merced, CA were treated to shoe fittings and brand new footwear. 10 year old Saul Lizarraga was one of 70 students fitted for new pairs of shoes from Merced nonprofit group Happy Feet Foundation, beaming as he received a new pair of Airwalks.

“The purpose is to give children confidence so they feel good about themselves,” Lil Ayala, learning director of the school, said, emphasizing the importance of giving children new shoes as opposed to used footwear.

Staff at the school took measurements of the children’s feet before visiting the store. Some of these children owned shoes that were either oversized or worn out, while others were forced to wear sandals throughout the colder months as a result of being the only shoes their families can afford. Ayala said these new shoes can fill an important need. “For some, it’s a big deal,” she said.

Making sure your child’s feet are healthy is important during the growing stages. Seek the help of a podiatrist like Dr. Bryant Tarr of Sudbury & Westford Podiatry.  Dr. Tarr will examine your child’s feet and provide the right care and treatment for them.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

· Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet

· Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.  Be sure the child wears comfortable and protective shoes so that they can grow into their feet properly.

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet

• Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
• Be watchful of any pain or injury
• Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
• Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play

For more information on keeping your children’s feet healthy, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices in Sudbury and Westford, MA.  We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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