My child has flat feet. Is that ok?

As kids are growing and developing, the joints in their feet are too.  The adult-like arch of the foot isn’t developed until a child is approximately seven years old.  So it is actually age appropriate for a child under the age of 7 years to have flat feet.  When kids first start standing and walking, they have flat feet.  As they practice standing, walking, squatting, and other gross motor milestones that involve being on their feet, their arch develops.  As they develop, so does their arch.  So most of the time, it is totally fine.  However, if your child is having difficulty with balance, having trouble keeping up with age-matched peers, having frequent falls, or having pain, that’s when it’s time to get evaluated by a physical therapist.  Your physical therapist can help you figure out what is going on, how to address it, and help you figure out if orthotics are necessary. 

Are you concerned about your child’s foot posture? Is your child having any of the difficulties listed above? Please book a discovery call. I would love to help you determine if your child needs a physical therapy evaluation.