Stride Rite helps parents select the right children's shoes

LEXINGTON, Mass. The Stride Rite Children's Group announced its new, trademarked STEP -- Scientifically Tested Everyday Proven -- program designed to help parents select the proper shoes to support a child's growth and development from ages one through five.

The STEP system is a new in-store program intended to make shoe shopping easier on parents and helps ensure quality, healthy footwear for every key developmental stage, the company reported.  The program consists of three steps that correspond to different stages of child development. Step one is for "pre-walkers" and shoes available for these children are designed to flex and bend to promote healthy foot development, according to the company. Step two focuses on "cruisers" and "early walkers," the company reported, and shoes for this stage are designed protect feet without restricting movement. Step three, for children that are "off and running," means shoes that are designed to optimize the biomechanics of the foot to allow children to develop healthy and natural walking patterns.

The company said it has translated the STEP education program in its stride rite stores through vibrant signage and a color-coded tiered wall display. Retail prices range from $22 to $50 across all three STEPs.