REMEMBER the days when getting kids properly fitted for shoes was the norm?

Nowadays, they are growing up faster, following fashion and lusting after mini-me styles. And timepoor parents prefer the ease of grabbing a pair of shoes off the shelf. Because of this, somehow, somewhere, we’ve forgotten the importance of children’s feet.

“Shoes alter how children walk and run,” says Dr Mick Wilkinson, a senior lecturer in the Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation dept at Northumbria University. “Shoes with stiff soles do not allow natural movement, preventing the big toe from flexing and limiting the range of movement in the ankle, lower leg and rear foot.”

Mother-of-two and biomechanic expert Georgie Britt Hodgson agrees: “You should be able to bend the shoe in half. Soles should be as thin and tough as possible – enough to be puncture resistant, but still allow your child to feel the terrain under foot, which will develop strength and coordination.”

The bulky support of big brand trainers can also be bad news and be aware that the stiff, heavy soles of chunky boots aren’t great, either.