Wouldn’t it be nice if adults could have recess like school children? We could get outside for a little bit each day and explore the world around us while enjoying the nice weather, all while improving our mental and physical health. There’s no doubt that recess is an integral part of a child’s development, but it’s also a common time for foot and ankle injuries to occur. In today’s blog, we share some some tips for protecting your child’s feet during recess.
Preventing Foot Injuries During Recess
Not all foot and ankle injuries are preventable, especially during recess, which is often a free-spirited and potentially chaotic time on the playground. Know that you can only control what you can control during these situations, and the main factor you’ll want to focus on is your child’s shoes.
You can’t control whether or not your child play’s football after lunch or hangs upside down on the monkey bars, but you can control what shoes you send them to school in, and this can play a bigger role in injury prevention than you may imagine. Here’s what you’ll want to look for in a playground shoe:
Right Size – Your child’s feet are probably growing pretty quickly, so it’s important that you regularly check to make sure their shoes still fit properly. Wearing shoes that are too tight can lead to pain and discomfort that can be exacerbated if your child is upright and moving. Check to make sure their shoes still fit well each month, and let them know that they should tell you if their shoes begin to feel too tight.
Support – You’ll also want to find a shoe that appropriately contours to the shape of their feet. Each child’s foot shape differs from one another, so make sure you are choosing a shoe that supports their arch and heel. It can be helpful to have your child professionally fitted for shoes in store as opposed to ordering a couple of pairs online and having them shipped to your house before your child can ever try them on.
Grip – You’ll also want to keep tabs on the grip or tread on the bottom of your child’s shoe. Worn down options will make it harder for your child to remain upright on slippery or icy surfaces. Choose a shoe with plenty of grip, and don’t let it wear out completely before you replace the shoe.
Recess-Specific Shoes – Finally consider sending your child to school with recess-specific shoes, especially if the pair they want to wear to school isn’t a very supportive or protective option at recess. If your child wants to wear heels, sandals or any type of shoe that isn’t ideal for running, jumping or playing, send them to school with another set of shoes that they can change into when the time comes. Better yet, see if they can store this set of shoes at school so they always have a good pair of recess shoes on hand.
Kids will be kids, but if you send them to school in the right pair of shoes, you can help to reduce their risk of a painful foot injury at recess. For more tips, or for professional help in the aftermath of a new foot or ankle injury, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.
