Shoes for happy little feet

Tag : sole shoes

By Agnes Kyotalengerire

CHOOSING shoes for children is one of the most challenging shoppingactivities for most parents. Yet one has got to do it with greatcare in order to choose the right shoe and to avoid affecting thechilds feet. Below are tips to help you choose the right shoe foryour child.

Booties
Booties are good for babies of zero to nine months because they arelight and have got a soft sole making it difficult for babies tohurt themselves since they are found of rubbing their feet.

While shopping, you will find booties in different designs, coloursand sizes.
Choose light and soft shoes with a lot of children character.Booties stuffed with sponge are a better option because they makethe babys feet comfortable.

A pair of booties costs you between sh3,000 to sh10,000 at KiddiezCloset outlets on Cham Towers, Pioneer Mall and other shops dealingin children wear.
For toddlers (babies learning to walk), Kasaija, an attendant atKiddiez Closet recommends light shoes to encourage the baby to walkfaster.

To make walking fun and exciting, go for shoes that producemelodies as the child walks, he says. Such shoes can be got indifferent designs. They cost sh2000 and above in shops dealing inchildren wear.

Choose shoes with rubber soles. The rubber prevents children fromsliding and falling. Secondly, the shoes should have a rough solewith ridges engraved to enhance the gripping.

Flats/open shoes
These are ideal because they allow aeration of the feet and can beworn out to occasions especially over weekends. Flats/open shoescome in different brands like Kiddiez, mother care and Clarks forboth boys and girls.

While buying flats or open shoes for children choose those withflap stickers to help keep the shoes in the feet at the same timemaking the wearing and removing easy.

A pair of open or flat shoes will cost you from sh5,000 to sh10,000in down town shops along Nabugabbo Street and Owino market, whilethose in uptown shops and boutiques prices range from sh15000.

Closed shoes
Closed shoes are ideal for occasions and school because they makethe child appear formally dressed and smart. Kasaija explains thatthough the tradition for closed shoes has been shoes with laces,the new innovation is that of shoes with stickers.

She adds that children like shoes with flap stickers because theyare not cumbersome to put on and remove as opposed to those withlaces.

Though closed, Kasaija explains that they should not be with a highheel to strain the childs legs Prices for closed shoes range fromsh6,000 in town shops while in up town shops like Kiddiez Closet oncharm towers and Pioneer Mall out lets, Bata outlets you will partwith sh20,000 to sh35,000 a pair.

Sneakers
Though people think sneakers are worn for sports activities only,it is not the case.

Besides sports, sneakers can be worn over the weekend or eveningprovided they are matched with casual clothes like jeans andT-shirts.

While shopping, choose sneakers with bright colours becausechildrenlove them.

Sneakers with flap stickers are a better deal as opposed to thosewith laces.
A pair of sneakers will cost you from sh5000 in down town shopswhile a pair in up town shops goes between sh15,000 to sh30,000.