Parenting Article:

Did You KNow? Kids Food Facts

Courtesy of: Jenny Celebrin and Yolanda La Gorce of Yunginz Shoes

Before purchasing your child's next pair of shoes read these must-know tips to help select the most appropriate pair of shoes for babies, toddlers and children. Also find out the best practices for day to day shoe wearing.

• Always have your child's feet measured for length and width.
  
  
• Check the size of their socks.
  
  
• For a shoe to be correctly fitted there should be a thumb width between the end of the shoe and the end of the longest toe.
  
  
• Leather and canvas are the better materials - they are more durable and can breathe. Synthetic materials don't breathe as well unless they are open weaves.
  
  
• Avoid plastics.
  
  
• A child's foot should be sized while they are standing up with full weight-bearing.
  
  
• At 6 months of age the foot is still mostly cartilage, with the last bone forming when children are about 3 years old. By the age of 18 most of the bones in the foot are fully formed.
  
  
• Examine the shoe. It should have a firm heel counter (that is, the stiff material either side of the heel), adequate cushioning of the inner sole and a built-in arch. It should be flexible enough to bend where the foot actually bends - at the ball of the foot not the middle of the shoe.
  
  
• Shoes do not need to be 'broken in'. If they do, they are either poorly designed or poorly fitted.
  
  
• If possible, do not put your child in the same shoes every day. Alternate shoes to allow them to dry out. Also, inspect kids' feet regularly for inflamed nails and red pressure marks.
  
  
• Toddlers aged 2-3 years of age grow approximately half a foot size every four months. Over the age of three, they increase half a foot size every four to six months.

For the most comfortable, fashionable and cool Australian designer kids shoes, you only need to go
as far as YUNGINZ (pronounced 'young-ins', as in young ones). Mums Jenny Celebrin and Yolanda La Gorce know what parents want for their kids when it comes to footwear - comfort, fashion and affordability. YUNGINZ shoes are perfect for stylish 1-6 year olds and are 100% Australian designed, made from the highest quality leather and materials. www.yunginz.com.au

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