The development of a child's arch in the foot typically begins around the age of 2 to 3 years and continues to develop as they grow. The changes that occur after the age of 6 however, are minimal. According to a study conducted in Singapore, there is no significant change in the arch after the age of six. The foot continues to grow in size but the overall structure of the arch does not change without any sort of external stimulus. When a children have flat feet at the age of six, then it is unlikely that they will develop a ‘normal’ arch without any intervention.

It's important to note that the arch of the foot is influenced by genetics and various environmental factors, including physical activity and footwear. According podiatrist Mark Reyneker, “different foot structures exist in different regions of the world. What may look like a flat foot on one continent may not be the case in another. Humans have a lot of variation. It is up to the clinician to evaluate wether a foot falls outside of the normal range of variation.”

If you suspect that something may be wrong with your child’s foot please visit an experienced podiatrist who understands the nuances of foot arch development. Too many clinicians oversimplify the child’s foot and make one of two critical errors.

1. They issue their patients with ready-made arch support orthotics.
These devices don’t consider the differences between left and right and the support is often in the wrong location.
2. They convince parents incorrectly that flat feet are normal for any age. For example, flat feet can be normal at age 2 but not at age 7.

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