Monitoring Growth in Children
Children’s feet and walking patterns change as they grow, so it is common for parents to wonder what is normal and what deserves closer attention. Watching how your child stands, walks, runs, and wears their shoes over time can help identify concerns early.
For a broader guide to common childhood foot concerns, you can also visit our Children’s Feet page.
Overview
Children’s feet are continually developing. Because the bones of growing feet are relatively flexible, changes in alignment can occur without a child noticing. Regularly observing your child’s walking and running patterns helps pick up early signs that may benefit from podiatry input.
What Parents Can Watch For
- Gait patterns such as in-toeing / out-toeing, frequent tripping, or uneven shoe wear
- Flat feet that don’t improve with age, knock-knees that look excessive, or limping after activity
- Pain complaints in the heels, shins, knees or feet, or reluctance to join sports and play
- Changes in toenails or skin (ingrown nails, blisters, callus) related to shoe fit
Monitoring Growth in Children — What Parents Should Know
Not every unusual walking pattern or foot shape means there is a problem. Many changes are part of normal development and improve with time. The main question is whether the child is comfortable, active, and coping well with day-to-day movement.
It is more helpful to look closer when patterns persist, worsen with age, affect confidence or activity, or are linked with pain, limping, shoe problems, or repeated tripping.
Footwear Matters
Check that school and sport shoes aren’t too tight, especially across the toes and around the heel. Tight or poorly-fitting footwear can restrict movement and may hinder normal development. Supportive, well-fitted shoes with a firm heel counter and flexible forefoot are recommended for active kids.
When should a child see a podiatrist for growth and development concerns?
A podiatry assessment is worth considering if you notice in-toeing or out-toeing that persists or worsens, frequent tripping, pain, swelling, limping, one foot or leg behaving differently from the other, or ongoing shoe-related problems such as pressure marks, blisters, or ingrown nails.
Even when a child seems to be coping well, a foot health review during growth years can provide reassurance, check development, and help identify small issues before they become bigger problems.
Progressive Foot-Related Behaviours (Milestones)
Typical movement milestones provide a simple reference for parents. If your child is significantly early or late, or has ongoing pain or difficulty with any of these, a podiatry review may be helpful.
- ~8 months: sits independently
- ~10 months: crawls
- ~12 months: stands alone, walks with support
- ~15 months: walks alone, crawls up stairs
- ~18 months: walks well
- 2–3 years: runs well; may climb stairs
- ~4 years: runs well; may ascend/descend stairs
- ~5 years: skips and hops
Quick Home Check List
- Watch your child walk from behind and from the side
- Inspect shoes for tightness or uneven wear
- Ask about pain after sport or long days at school
- Review shoe fit every 3–6 months during growth spurts
- Book a review if anything concerns you
Related children’s foot conditions
Monitoring growth can help pick up several childhood foot concerns earlier. You can also read about:
Children’s podiatry for Craigieburn, Gladstone Park and Melbourne families
We help families from Craigieburn, Gladstone Park, and across Melbourne monitor children’s foot development, walking patterns, shoe fit, and common growth-related foot concerns.
Growth and development foot checks for children
We assess walking patterns, foot shape, shoe fit, and common growth-related concerns to help parents understand what is normal and what may need attention.