Back-to-School Foot Care for Active Kids
Brooklin Foot & Orthotic Clinic | Serving Brooklin, Whitby, Ajax & Oshawa
The school year is underway, and kids in Whitby, Ajax, and Oshawa are already settling into routines filled with classrooms, playground games, and after-school sports. While you’ve checked off the school supply list and packed the lunches, now is the perfect time to do a quick “foot health check-in” with a focus on foot care for kids.
Feet are your child’s foundation, carrying them through busy days of learning and play. Paying attention now can help prevent discomfort, injuries, and missed opportunities later in the year.
Back-to-School Foot Health Check
Ask yourself:
- Do your child’s shoes still look supportive after a few weeks of wear?
- Are they complaining of sore heels or arches after sports?
- Have you noticed limping, redness, or blisters?
If the answer is yes to any of these, it’s time to take a closer look.
The Importance of Proper Shoe Fit
Children’s feet can grow quickly—even between the end of summer and September. Shoes that seemed fine a month ago may already be too small.
What to watch for:
- A thumb’s width of space between the longest toe and the shoe’s end.
- Flexible, supportive soles that don’t bend too easily.
- Comfort when walking around the house or school—kids should never need a “break-in” period.
Spotting Early Signs of Foot Pain
Kids don’t always mention pain right away. Keep an eye out for:
- Walking on tiptoes, limping, or avoiding activity.
- Complaints of sore heels (common with growth spurts).
- Swelling, redness, or changes in toenails.
Catching problems early can prevent them from getting worse.
Preventing Sports-Related Injuries
Soccer, basketball, dance, and hockey are back in full swing. These activities are healthy, but can put stress on growing feet. To reduce injury risk:
- Encourage stretching before and after activity.
- Replace worn-out athletic shoes every 6–12 months.
- Consider custom orthotics if your child plays high-impact sports or complains of recurring pain.
Building Lifelong Foot Habits
Healthy routines help kids take ownership of their own care:
- Wash and dry feet daily.
- Trim toenails straight across.
- Speak up if something feels wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check my child’s shoe size?
Every 3–4 months. Growth can be quick and uneven.
My child is active in sports and has heel pain—what should I do?
Are flat feet in kids normal?
Do I need to buy expensive shoes?
When should I bring my child to a foot clinic?
Local Foot Care for Kids: Tip for Families in Whitby, Ajax, and Oshawa
If your child is struggling with foot pain or you’re unsure about their footwear, book an appointment at the Brooklin Foot & Orthotic Clinic. A quick check-up now can make the whole school year more comfortable.
Get in touch with our experts today.
New patients are welcome. No referrals are required.
The Brooklin Foot & Orthotic Clinic team commonly treat the following:
Heel and Arch Pain, Achilles problems, ball-of-foot pain, arthritic feet, bunions, children’s feet, and knee and ankle pain.
Contact us
Call Us
905-425-FEET (3338) contact@brooklinfootclinic.com
Our Location
Whitby, ON L1M 0K8
Ample parking available
Wheelchair accessible
Operation Hours
Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
CONNECT WITH US
The Brooklin Foot Clinic offers the following Chiropody Services to the Durham region, including Ajax, Brock,
Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge and Whitby.
ClearToe Therapy | Cold Laser Therapy | Compression Stockings | Custom Made Orthotics | Diabetic Foot Care | Foot Mobilisation Therapy (FMT) | Microwave Therapy For Plantar Wart | Non-Surgical Nail Correction | Orthopedic Footwear | Reflexology | Skin and Nail Conditions | Surgical Procedures/Injections