Rapid, spurt-like growth occurs individually
Did you know that children's feet are by no means just smaller versions of adults' feet? They are something special, characterized by their softness and malleability . Familiarize yourself with their unique needs: POLOLO will be providing information and suggestions on this topic in a series of articles – this one focuses on the impressive growth of little feet. All figures are averages, as growth varies from child to child.
Impressive growth of around three shoe sizes in one year
A baby's foot, with all its cartilage/bones, ligaments, muscles, and various joints and tendons that together ensure its mobility, develops rapidly. It grows much faster than other parts of the body – up to two centimeters per year, which corresponds to about three shoe sizes. After birth, the feet grow in short, rapid bursts and reach half their final length by toddlerhood.
Maturation of the feet can take until early adulthood
From the age of five until puberty, feet grow by an average of about one centimeter per year. Anyone buying shoes that should fit should remember that shoes must always fit properly , meaning they should only be worn at the right time! It can also take until early adulthood for feet to fully mature.
The learning to walk phase: An adventure for parents and children
Learning to walk is a fundamental experience for everyone: It requires a lot of perseverance and motivation to get back up after every fall , even if it hurts. Little ones conquer a bigger world step by step. To help them along, it's important to identify and, if possible, keep potential hazards, obstacles, and disturbances away beforehand. This phase is exciting for your children and for you in many ways: And this adventure should be experienced with joy!
Protecting foot health begins in infancy
For little ones, it's an incentive to develop normally, and it also reminds you that humans need regular, self-directed movement to stay healthy . Experts estimate that around 98 percent of all people are lucky enough to be born with healthy feet. Yet only about 40 percent of adults are considered to have healthy feet today. This significant difference underscores how important it is to help children's feet grow undisturbed and mature healthily!
Our POLOLO graphic gives an overview of what is special about children's feet.
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