Your toddler's feet turn in. Their legs curve out like a cowboy's. Or they spend half the day on tiptoes. When little ones start walking, parents notice all sorts of things, and it is natural to wonder whether something is wrong.

The good news is that most of these patterns are a normal part of growing up, and children grow out of them on their own. We asked Ms Ng Jia Lin, Principal Podiatrist at Physio & Sole Clinic, to walk us through five of the most common ones, what is normal at each age, and when it is worth getting a check.

"A child's legs and feet change a lot in the first eight years," says Ms Ng. "What looks unusual at two can be completely normal for that age. The key is whether it is improving over time."

1. In-toeing (pigeon toes)

What it looks like: the feet point inwards when your child walks or runs. Some children trip over their own feet more often.

What is normal: in-toeing is often noticed between the ages of 3 and 8. The cause can be in the foot, the shin bone, or the thigh bone, and most children grow out of it by around 8 years old.

Worth a check if:

  • Your child trips or falls much more than other children their age
  • Only one foot turns in
  • It is getting worse instead of better
  • Your child complains of pain

"Parents often ask if special shoes will fix in-toeing," says Ms Ng. "For most children, it is about watching and waiting while they grow. If it is not improving, we look at where it is coming from." Here is more on how in-toeing is assessed.

2. Bow legs

What it looks like: a gap between the knees when your child stands with their feet together.

What is normal: almost all babies are born with some bowing, because of how they are curled up in the womb. It usually improves between 18 months and 3 years, and most children's legs straighten out by around age 2 to 3.

Worth a check if:

  • The bowing gets worse after age 2
  • Only one leg is bowed
  • Your child limps or has knee or leg pain

Physio & Sole Clinic has a helpful guide to bow legs in children if you want to read more.

3. Knock knees

What it looks like: the knees touch, but there is a gap between the ankles when your child stands straight.

What is normal: interestingly, many children swing from bow legs to knock knees as they grow. Knock knees usually appear after age 2, are most noticeable around age 4, and have mostly straightened by age 7 to 8. They are also more common in children who are carrying extra weight, especially during growth spurts, which tend to come earlier for girls and later for boys. 

Worth a check if:

  • It is still obvious after age 8
  • It is getting more pronounced
  • One side is very different from the other
  • Your child has knee pain or tires quickly when walking

"Knock knees and flat feet often show up together, so we look at the whole leg, not just the knees," says Ms Ng. Here is more on when knock knees need attention.

4. Toe walking

What it looks like: your child walks on the balls of their feet, with their heels off the ground.

What is normal: walking on tiptoes now and then is common in children under 2 who are still exploring how to move. We have written about this before in should you be worried about tip-toe walking.

Worth a check if:

  • Your child still toe walks most of the time after age 2 to 3
  • They cannot stand with their heels flat on the ground
  • Their calves feel tight, or they trip often
  • They are late with other milestones, such as talking or fine motor skills

"Toe walking that carries on past 3 is worth looking into early, because tight calf muscles are easier to work on when children are young," says Ms Ng. Physio & Sole Clinic explains more in this guide to toe walking.

5. Flat feet

What it looks like: no visible arch when your child stands, or the heel bone tilts outward so the ankle looks like it is collapsing inward.

What is normal: nearly all toddlers look flat-footed. They have a soft fat pad under the arch, and their ligaments are still loose. Arches usually start to form between the ages of 3 and 5, and are more defined by around 7. See our guide to flat foot in children for more.

Worth a check if:

  • Your child complains of sore feet or legs, or wants to be carried often
  • Their feet look stiff rather than flexible
  • The arches are still flat after age 7

What shoes can and cannot do

Shoes cannot straighten legs or turn feet outwards. What the right shoes can do is let your child's feet move, grow and get stronger naturally, and give them a stable, comfortable base while they find their balance.

For toddlers, Ms Ng suggests looking for:

  • A flexible sole that bends at the toes
  • A wide toe box so the toes can spread
  • A secure fastening so the shoe stays on without your child gripping with their toes
  • The right size, with about a thumb's width of space at the front

"Shoes that are too big, too stiff or too tight make walking harder work for little ones," says Ms Ng. "A good fit matters more than any special feature."

Our Steady Walking collection is designed for this stage, and our Barefoot Explorer range suits children who are ready for more ground feel. If your little one is just starting out, our earlier piece on what your baby's first shoes should be is a good place to start. And because little feet grow quickly, check their size every few months.

When to book an assessment

As a simple rule, Ms Ng suggests getting your child checked if you notice any of these, whatever their age:

  • Pain, limping, or your child avoiding walking or play
  • One side looks clearly different from the other
  • The pattern is getting worse instead of better
  • Your child falls much more often than other children their age

"You know your child best," she adds. "If something does not feel right, it is always fine to ask. Most of the time, we can reassure parents that it is part of normal development." A podiatrist can do a gait assessment for kids, watching how your child walks and runs to see what is going on.

Conclusion

In-toeing, bow legs, knock knees, toe walking, and flat feet are all common in young children, and most of them sort themselves out with time. Keep an eye on whether things are improving, choose flexible, well-fitting shoes, and check in with a podiatrist if you notice pain, one-sided changes, or a pattern that is getting worse.

Need help finding the right size or style for your little walker? Chat with us on WhatsApp, and we will help you out.