First, measure your child’s feet via the Foot Fairy or at any kids shoe store. You can also measure your child’s foot at home with a standard ruler by measuring from the back of the heal to the tip of the longest toe. You can then use the following chart to convert to the relevant shoe size –but remember that not all shoes fit exactly the same, so make sure that it fits well or can be returned prior to purchase.
Shoe size conversion chart:
| Inches | US Shoe Size | European Shoe Size |
|---|---|---|
| 3 1/3 | 1 | 16 |
| 3 2/3 | 2 | 17 |
| 4 | 3 | 18 |
| 4 1/6 | 3 1/2 | 18 |
| 4 1/3 | 4 | 19 |
| 4 1/2 | 4 1/2 | 20 |
| 4 2/3 | 5 | 20 |
| 4 5/6 | 5 1/2 | 21 |
| 5 | 6 | 21 |
| 5 1/6 | 6 1/2 | 22 |
| 5 1/3 | 7 | 23 |
| 5 1/2 | 7 1/2 | 24 |
| 5 2/3 | 8 | 24 |
| 5 5/6 | 8 1/2 | 25 |
| 6 | 9 | 26 |
| 6 1/6 | 9 1/2 | 26 |
| 6 1/3 | 10 | 27 |
| 6 1/2 | 10 1/2 | 28 |
| 6 2/3 | 11 | 28 |
| 6 5/6 | 11 1/2 | 29 |
| 7 | 12 | 30 |
| 7 1/6 | 12 1/2 | 31 |
| 7 1/3 | 13 | 31 |
| 7 1/2 | 13 1/2 | 32 |
| 7 2/3 | 1 | 32 |
| 7 5/6 | 1 1/2 | 33 |
| 8 | 2 | 34 |
| 8 1/6 | 2 1/2 | 34 |
| 8 1/3 | 3 | 35 |
| 8 1/2 | 3 1/2 | 35 |
| 8 2/3 | 4 | 36 |
| 8 5/6 | 4 1/2 | 36 |
| 9 | 5 | 37 |
| 9 1/6 | 5 1/2 | 38 |
| 9 1/3 | 6 | 38 |
It is important that your child try on the shoe since there can be variations in size depending on the brand. The shoe should slip on easily. NEVER force your child’s foot into a shoe. It should be immediately comfortable in the store. If a child complains that it hurts or immediately tries to take them off, chances are it is not a comfortable shoe for him or her or it is not the right size.
I do not believe that shoes need to be broken in. It has to be comfortable from the moment a child places them on his or her feet. There should be a thumb width (approximately one-half inch) of room in front of longest toe In most cases, the big toe is the longest toe but this is not always the case (my husband’s second toe is longer than his big toe).
You should regularly examine your child’s foot. Look for signs that a shoe is not fitting properly or is too small, such as redness or a sudden development of blisters. Also, a child stating that her shoe is no longer comfortable is another tell-tale sign that it is time to switch to a larger size. A child’s foot should be measured approximately every two to three months.
In addition to ensuring that your child’s shoe is the right size, you also want to make sure that your kid’s shoes are flexible. Kids’ shoes should bend where the foot naturally bends at the ball of the foot. The ball of the foot can be found below the toes –it is the cushioned area between the toes and the arch of the foot.
Look for a cushioned insole for added comfort. A non-slip outsole is also important to prevent your child from slipping and falling.
Finally, listen to and watch what your child is and is not saying and doing. If he states that the shoe is comfortable or immediately starts to jump around, it is probably a comfortable shoe for him.