For many families, outgrown or worn-out shoes can pile up quickly and create a headache at the start of the school year. Keeping up with kids’ rapidly growing feet can be daunting and expensive, not to mention the waste generated.
According to Footic, “toddlers rotate through about three shoe sizes per year, preschoolers two sizes, and school children one to two per year.” Whether kids outgrow their shoes before they wear out or wear out their shoes before they outgrow them, most caregivers will agree that it all happens too fast.
This is the very issue The Shoe That Grows was designed to address for children experiencing poverty. However, The Shoe can also be a great option for any family looking to extend the lifespan of their child’s shoes.
Consider these five reasons The Shoe That Grows may be a good choice for your child, too.
Of course, the most innovative feature of The Shoe That Grows is its ability to grow. Adjustable at seven points, The Shoe can expand up to five sizes and last for years. In places with limited access to footwear, outgrown shoes are a significant problem, but they’re a common frustration for any family with rapidly growing children.
By choosing The Shoe for your child, you can ensure they have a properly fitting shoe for years, reducing the expense of continuously replacing so many shoes and the waste caused.
Fast-growing feet aren’t the only challenge when it comes to keeping shoes on kids. Many children are so active and busy that they wear out shoes even before they can grow out of them!
For children in rural Kenya, walking long distances to school on unpaved terrain contributes to significant wear. But active kids everywhere face similar issues, regardless of where they live.
The Shoe That Grows is made from highly durable materials to withstand heavy use and is extensively tested to ensure it remains in good condition with extended wear. It’s proven to last for years—whether for kids in Africa or your own kids.
Families all around the world are familiar with school dress codes, most of which contain references to shoes. Because International exists to ensure all kids have access to shoes that meet school dress codes and keep kids healthy so they can attend regularly.
Your child likely has a school dress code, too. While wearing shoes to school may be assumed in developed countries, schools often still specify requirements like keeping toes covered. The Shoe That Grows is a great choice for school as it protects the foot's bottom, sides, top and toe. While your kids may not need to worry about avoiding parasites and soil-transmitted diseases, all kids are familiar with stubbed toes and splinters. The Shoe is a great choice to protect young feet in all their activities and environments.
Speaking of the activities that keep kids busy, The Shoe That Grows is excellent for many of them. From jump rope to soccer to running to gym class, the activities of a typical school day require more than a cute dress shoe or a flip-flop. The Shoe That Grows stays securely on the foot and protects the toe, making it an excellent choice for everyday school activities, particularly in the warmer months.
Beyond school, The Shoe is a rugged option perfect for summer camp, water activities and more. Plus, it will last much, much longer than the typical sports sandal.
In addition to cost and inconvenience, worn-out and outgrown shoes contribute to waste. If you’ve ever felt the wastefulness of discarded pairs, The Shoe That Grows is for you. While it certainly doesn't eliminate the need for specialty shoes or solve all issues of rapidly growing feet, The Shoe can be a great step in reducing the number of pairs your family discards over the years.
Last but not least, choosing The Shoe for kids in your life also makes a tangible impact on kids impacted by poverty around the world through the Buy One, Give One model. For $40, you can purchase a pair for yourself or your child and Because International will distribute a pair to a child in rural Kenya. It’s a win-win!
During the week of September 16–22, 2024, you can make an even bigger impact with your purchase of The Shoe That Grows through our annual Shoes for School campaign. A generous matching gift means each pair purchased will provide TWO pairs for kids in Kenya.
