Bow

The gold standard shoes for first walkers

We have all seen the adorable swagger of our toddling babies as they begin to learn to walk and the stumbles that terrific two makes as they pick up the pace. Then there are those epic “stackosauras’s” (that’s a tech term we like to use in our household) that a four year old can take over seemingly nothing.

While that is all happening, 200,000 nerve endings in the feet are sending info back to the brain that in turn tells the correct muscles to “fire” at the correct time.

Through the constant practicing of that neurological feedback and action resulting from it, our body learns what it needs to do to perform at its natural and efficient best. So we want to allow this process to happen as naturally and easily as we possibly can for them right?

Putting little ones feet in a hard sole essentially means their feet are “locked up” in an unnatural position. Hard soles also disrupt the neurological feedback process, forcing the foot to conform to a structured sole that more than likely is more relevant to the style of shoe that fashion and industry dictate, than the natural position and movement of the foot.

The results? The feet have the ability to effect the whole body - its strength, balance and flexibility. Though your little one most likely will not note any pain initially, as their bodies are still learning and will compensate for any reduced and unnatural movement, ultimately over time feet that aren't “right” will throw the body out of balance and cause aches and pain.

The alternative. Well medical professionals recommend walking in barefoot is best for growing feet and so do we. You can significantly and positively impact your child's natural foot development by allowing them to go bare foot wherever possible, adopting a bare foot policy at home.

You can give your little one the opportunity to walk on and experience various shaped and textured surfaces by letting them go barefoot wherever possible. Many playgrounds offer this opportunity.

However when they are out and about and shoes are required, the closest alternative to walking barefoot are soft sole shoes.