Benefits of Barefoot Walking

Do you like to be barefoot or do you prefer to have shoes on? How’s your balance? What about your child’s preferences and ability to balance? 

When talking about barefoot walking with children, it is important to remember that children’s body systems are still developing, unlike an adult’s. These body systems that are important to note include muscle strength, balance, vestibular system, and sensory system. This is why it is important to allow children to experience and explore new things physically during childhood. 

When your munchkin stands or walks, their brain is receiving information from cells located in parts of their body, specifically their feet and toes. The skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments have messenger cells that tell the brain all about the environment: how much pressure, temperature, textures, and types of movement. All this sensory information gets processed in the sensory area of the brain. The sensory area of the brain then communicates with the motor part of the brain to carry out a preferred movement. The ultimate result is movement!

Movement that is constantly being refined according to the sensory stimulation, specifically from the feet and toes (in this example). This process happens all the time, throughout the entire body. Amazing right?!

Since movement is constantly changing in a child, strength, balance, and the ability to master the next motor milestone is also constantly changing. And usually for the better!

Giving your munchkin the exposure to various textures on their feet while standing and walking will help mature these body systems, and therefore improve their movement. Too much time in shoes (and even socks!) will decrease the amount of sensory stimulation, and therefore the cascade of events mentioned above will not take place as much compared to when the child is barefoot. 

These ideas can be applied to munchkins who are standing holding onto furniture, as well as a munchkin who is able to walk by himself. 

Safety should of course be the first consideration for your munchkin. If you are not familiar with the environment or if there are known potential risks for your munchkin to step on something unfriendly, then shoes are a must. 

Now get your munchkins out there and allow them to explore their environment with their bare feet! 

-Keep your munchkin moving!