Best School Shoes for Kindergarten

If your child is joining kindergarten, the cost of school shoes will leave you shocked. As you look through the variety of shoes available, it is important to settle for well-fitting and comfortable shoes. This article will give you tips that will help you buy the best school shoes for kindergarten.

Toddlers’ feet are still growing and very delicate, and it is essential to look after them. For that reason, you must buy well-fitting shoes. Well-fitting shoes allow the child’s feet to develop uninterrupted and give enough movement and support space.

Unfortunately, many children develop feet problems at a young age because of wearing shoes that are not are either too small or too large.

Without a properly fitting shoe, your child is at the risk of getting sore knees, flat feet, shin splints and back pains. 

For that reason, your child must wear the correct type of shoes to kindergarten from the word go. A good kindergarten shoe will cost you a lot, but you only need one pair; therefore, get the best.

What makes a good pair of kindergarten school shoes?

By now, you understand why your child needs a good pair of school shoes, which brings us to the question of what makes a good pair of school shoes. Here are essential things to look out for:

Appropriate length and width fitting

Your baby’s feet are growing in length and width; therefore, you need shoe types that give you these sizing options, and this is the only way to get a perfectly fitting pair.

Shoe design

It is important to purchase shoes designed to fit the shaping of baby feet. A proper design gives room for growth without making it lose. At this age, the nerves at the toe tips are not fully developed; therefore, most children cannot tell if the shoe is too tight. For this reason, buy shoes with a lot of room for growth and measure their feet regularly.

Shoe shapes

The best shoes for kindergarten should have the shape of a child’s foot. While it sounds obvious, avoid shoes with pointed or swung designs because they can easily harm the baby’s feet.

Fastenings

Baby shoes come with either straps or Velcro stapes as fastening options. Whatever the option, it should be easy for the baby to fasten the shoe independently. 

Note that the child will spend a large part of their day in school, and you will not be there to help them remove and put back their shoes if need be.

Do not buy slip-on shoes for kindergarten kids because they cannot be adjusted.

Breathable lining

Like adults, the child’s feet must remain dry throughout the day. This can only be achieved if the shoe has breathable linings, allowing air and sweat to escape. If your child comes home with smelly feet, the shoe is not breathable enough, and they are in danger of feet infections.

Consult the school for a style guide

Some schools have strict uniform guidelines, and it is essential to adhere. Therefore, check the school website for acceptable shoe designs before purchasing. This will keep your child out of trouble and save you money from having to buy the right design.

How to get the best school shoes for kindergarten

Children’s feet grow very fast, and therefore, it is recommended that you check their sizes every so often. The younger they are, the faster their growth rate, hence the need for frequent measurements. Between three to five years, experts recommend that you check their sizing after every three months.

So, do you have to visit the shoe store every three months for fitting? Fortunately, you can measure your child’s shoe size from home. Here are steps on how to measure your child’s feet at home:

• Purchase a home foot gauge. These are readily available in most online stores and some physical shoe stores. 
• DIY using a piece of paper, pencil, ruler, or a tape measure. Ask your toddler to step on a piece of paper on both feet, trace their feet outline, and measure the length of their feet using a ruler or tape measure. This serves as the length of their feet. Measure the distance between the large toe and the fifth toe for the width. Ensure to take the measurements for both feet. The larger measurement is the perfect shoe size if one foot is bigger.

It is time to buy your child new shoes if;

• The size you get after the measurement is larger than the current sizing.
• If you can feel their toes touching the end of the shoe. 
• If the treed at the bottom of the shoe is worn out. Treadles shoes become very slippery, and therefore, you will be putting your baby at the risk of slip and fall accidents.

When you take your child for kindergarten shoe-fitting, make sure they have their socks on. Also, carry your socks from home. Some stores will offer you fitting socks, but it is not hygienic because many kids have worn the socks before you, which puts the baby at risk of feet infections.

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How to make kindergarten shoes last longer

At kindergarten age, kids’ feet grow at a very high rate, and therefore you might need a new pair every six months. However, during this short period, you need to properly take care of the shoes to maintain their good look. If the child has younger siblings, the shoe might be passed down; therefore, keeping them in good condition is vital.

Here are simple tips on how to take care of school shoes:

• Clean the shoes- Keeping the shoes clean is key to their durability. Wipe off mud and dust on the outer part. If the innersoles are removable, check them regularly for small stone debris and sand.
• Polish the shoes daily- shoe polish is suitable for leather shoes as it helps get rid of scuffs and maintain the shine. Protect leather shoes from constant contact with water.
• Keep them dry- it is advisable to wash the inner part of the shoe from time to time and when this happens, make sure to dry them completely. Avoid drying leather shoes in the hot sun or in front of a heater; they will crack. A hack to drying school shoes completely; stuff them with newspapers, which will absorb all the moisture and keep them in shape.
• Be keen on repair- at the sign of simple wear, take the shoes to a cobbler for repair. Immediate repairs will keep your shoes looking good and save you the cost of buying a new pair.
• Proper storage- avoid piling shoes on top of each other because it damages the shape. Alternatively, store them on a shoe rack or in a box.

Does the price of kindergarten school shoes affect their quality?

The cost of shoes depends on the material and technique invested in their making. Therefore, it is safe to say that higher quality shoes will cost you more. With that said, why are expensive shoes better in quality?

• They are stitched for durability.
• Have polyurethane material through the sole, which holds the shoe longer than cardboards.
• Well-padded and breathable lining keeping the kids feet dry and comfortable.
• They have blown out outsoles, which are light but they tend to wear out faster.

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FAQ on best school shoes for kindergarten

What size shoe does a kindergartener wear?

Kindergarteners wear shoes from size 3.5 to 10. These usually are kids between three to six years. Check their feet sizes after every three months and immediately size up their school shoes for right feet development.

What shoes are best for four-year-olds?

The best shoes for four-year-olds should be well-fitting, comfortable and with adjustable fasteners. Kids at this age walk and run around a lot; therefore, their shoes should be as comfortable as they can be on their delicate feet.

How do I measure the shoe size of my kindergarten going kid?

You can pass by a shoe store and get a professional sizing or DIY at home using a piece of paper and a ruler. Ask the child to stand upright on a piece of paper on both feet, trace them, and measure using a tape or ruler. 

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