The foot is a complex structure of 26 bones and 35 joints, held together and supported by numerous ligaments. Children begin to walk between 10 and 18 months of age. Most toddlers are flat-footed when they first start walking because of poor muscle tone and weak ligaments in their feet. This will improve as the feet strengthen. Barefoot crawling, walking and playing is the best way to facilitate the development of strength, balance and dexterity of children’s feet. In young, healthy children with normal physical development, it is true to say that ‘barefoot is best’ but this is not always practical.
For toddler’s learning to walk the best shoe is one that mimics bare feet. A child learning to walk receives important sensory information from the soles of their feet. Shoes, particularly those with hard, heavy and inflexible soles, can make walking more difficult. A flexible, soft-soled moccasin can not only provide environmental protection for the child’s foot when learning to walk but also allows the normal amount of foot motion and function to occur. In a flexible-soled shoe or slipper the foot muscles are allowed to work and strengthen with every step, allowing the young child’s foot to become stronger and more efficient.
‘Sunshadow Slippers’ are a soft-soled, lightweight, flexible indoor slipper made from natural materials that offer good protection from the environment without restricting the development of growing feet. For strong, healthy feet ensure your toddler’s have lots of barefoot time and when requiring some protection consider soft-soled moccasins like ‘Sunshadow Slippers’ that mimic barefoot walking.
Kim Edwards
Podiatrist
Foot Health Clinic, Samford
