Children's Foot Development

The article argues that developing feet should receive appropriate stress and feedback so bones, Achilles tendons, and related tissues develop well. Flip-flops are presented as less beneficial than well-fitted minimalist shoes but preferable to rigid padded shoes for children. A Japanese school comparison found sprint and jump advantages in children at the predominantly barefoot school. Children who were predominantly barefoot differed from shod children in sprint biomechanics and jump height in a Japanese school comparison. Foot development is largely shaped during childhood, with bones mostly ossified by age 10 and development substantially complete by age 15. Padded shoes alter children's gait mechanics rather than merely protecting the foot. Restricting movement and sensory input during childhood can permanently diminish foot architecture and alter biomechanics. The practical stance for children is to keep them barefoot or minimalist as much as possible while recognizing real-world constraints. The article recommends keeping children barefoot as much as possible when safe during developmental years.