Most small children are flat-footed  This failure of the foot to assume its natural arch, if it persists past early childhood can sometimes result in discomfort and even pain later in life
Traditionally, flat-footedness in children has been treated by having the children wear special shoes that give extra support to the foot, in order to foster the development of the arch
Although most children's flat-footedness is corrected by the time the children reach puberty, some people remain flat-footed for life.