When it comes to children and shoes, comfort and health should always come first. Shoes that are too small or stiff may lead to pain and discomfort while rigid soles cannot bend with the foot's movement and cause excessive heel pressure; shoes too hard can even cause flat feet development in young ones.Children's shoes play a vital role in their environment, providing surface protection for the foot as well as weatherproofing it from elements. Furthermore, children's shoes encourage rear foot strikes while simultaneously decreasing external forces on the foot-ankle complex during walking and providing cushioned support to reduce external forces on ankles and lower legs during gait cycles. Furthermore, studies have also indicated that wearing such footwear alters a foot's ability to perceive sensory information about its environment.The upper part of a shoe that touches the foot must be constructed from breathable materials like leather or cotton canvas to allow airflow through it to keep feet cool and comfortable. Children tend to perspire more than adults so the upper portion must also breathe easily so as to remain cool and comfy for their feet.Shoes should have a thick sole with a flexible sole to accommodate for foot movements during walking cycles and provide necessary sensory information during the walking cycle. In addition, this flexibility also enables orthotics to fit properly within them.