Ensure any socks are pulled up and on correctly

Ask them to have a quick walk to allow the feet to settle into the shoes

Encourage your child to stand up straight with their weight balanced between both feet 

Ensure the shoes are on correctly and their heel is at the back of both shoes. Check there is no gap at the heel

Feel around the shoe to check how much the foot is filling the shoe (ie. buckling=too loose, bulging=too tight)

Double check their posture, ensure they are not curling their toes and then very gently feel the end of the shoes to identify how much toe space and growing room they have - there should be 1-1.5cm / thumbs width. Less growing room required for ages 10+

Ask them to walk again and watch their feet. Check for heels slipping, tripping over toes, the shoe buckling. Look for signs that the shoes are uncomfortable (walking on tippy toes, leaning heavily to one side, wanting to take them off). 

Kids choose their shoes by looks above comfort (like most of us!) so let them walk around the house for 5 min to ensure happy feet 😊