Barefoot child – healthy child

Raising children comes with great responsibility. So much depends on the decisions we make regarding the development of our little ones. Some of these decisions can be extremely difficult, especially since there is often a lack of consensus among parents and even scientists on many issues. One such topic is whether children’s feet should be protected by buying them shoes, or if it’s better to let them go barefoot. Below, we present a few facts in favor of not subjecting our children’s feet to traditional footwear.

Barefoot Walking or Children’s Shoes?

In 2018, the scientific journal Frontiers in Pediatrics published an article highlighting the strong connection between walking barefoot and human development. It was proven that barefoot upbringing in children has a positive effect on the development of balance and motor skills.

In practice, this means that children who walk barefoot more often develop better and achieve higher sports performance. Further research shows that children raised barefoot have better concentration and learning abilities — they surpass their peers, who are typically wearing shoes, in intellectual development.

Rae Pica, a child development specialist, explains why this happens:

“...the feet are among the most well-supplied parts of the body with nerves, which means they contribute to the formation of neural pathways in the brain. Therefore, enclosing them in shoes partially deprives the body of the opportunity to create new neural connections.”

This is particularly relevant for children up to the age of 8, as this is the period when most motor and mental abilities develop.

An article by Dr. Kacie Flegal, published in Natural Child Magazine, states that children raised barefoot perform better in learning math, foreign languages, as well as in problem-solving, building interpersonal relationships, and managing emotions.

Children's Shoes – Why It's Sometimes Worth Skipping Them?

First and foremost, it's important to know that stimulating the receptors in the feet supports the proper development and functioning of internal organs. Children's shoes, which limit the contact of the feet with the ground, can result in a reduced flow of nerve impulses to the child's brain. Moreover, a child who doesn’t wear shoes has better circulation and oxygenation in their feet, which positively impacts the functioning of the entire body.

Going barefoot is recommended for children by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics, whose experts also confirm that children's shoes should be made in line with the barefoot trend.

Innovative Children's Shoes – Barefoot Shoes

Barefoot shoes, also known as minimalist footwear, are a recent innovation. They are not yet widely popular, although parents who are aware of the health benefits of walking barefoot are slowly becoming more convinced of their value.

In our part of Europe, the culture of walking barefoot practically doesn’t exist. Shoes are so strongly embedded in social norms that it’s hard to live and raise children without them. This is also influenced by the climate and living conditions in cities. However, shoe manufacturers have a solution for parents who want their children to benefit from walking barefoot, regardless of the circumstances. That solution is innovative barefoot footwear.

What Characterizes Barefoot Children's Shoes?

The idea behind this type of footwear is to make the wearer feel like they are walking barefoot, while still protecting their feet from cuts and bacteria. The ample space at the front of barefoot shoes allows the toes to spread freely and make contact with the ground during walking, while also not restricting their natural growth. The upper part of minimalist shoes is exceptionally soft and breathable, while the sole is flexible, flat, and only a few millimeters thick. As a result, children can clearly feel the surface they are walking on and, with each step, provide themselves with new sensory stimuli.

You can purchase barefoot footwear for your children by visiting the children's shoes section in our store.

Also, check out: Can children train running?

Sources:

https://www.yourmodernfamily.com/barefoot-kids/

https://www.raepica.com/2017/09/barefoot-benefits-brain-development-2018/