You may have noticed your child’s feet were flat when you saw their footprints in sand. Or you may have noticed this if your child walked on a flat surface with wet feet. The curved parts of the bottom of the feet are called arches. They are like a bridge made of bones joined together by ligaments. They help absorb the shock of walking and spread weight on the feet. Some children develop arches as their baby fat disappears. But some children don’t. This is still considered normal. It's often not a cause for concern.
Understanding arch development
Many children’s feet have arches when their feet are off the ground. But they may have flat feet when standing. This is due to loose arch-supporting ligaments in the feet. Your child's doctor inspects your child’s arches when they’re in the air and on a flat surface. If your child has painful flat feet, they may need X-rays to figure out the best type of treatment.
Caring for your child
Over time, your child’s feet may or may not develop arches. If not, it usually doesn’t affect the way your child walks or runs. Your child’s doctor may suggest you go ahead and let your child play sports and other activities.
In some cases...
If your child has painful flat feet, the doctor may advise arch supports or special shoe inserts. These can help ease pain. The doctor may also advise an orthopedic surgeon if your child has bone problems. Sometimes physical therapy can provide your child with exercises to strengthen loose ligaments and ease pain.
Featured in
Online Medical Reviewer: Amy Finke RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Heather M Trevino BSN RNC
Online Medical Reviewer: Liora C Adler MD
Date Last Reviewed: 04/01/2025
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
