Getting to know their feet!

Jane Swain

It’s very helpful for babies to get to know their feet! This happens in two different ways: when the baby’s feet are airborne, and also when their feet are bearing weight on the floor or other surface. The feet are airborne when the baby is lying on their back, reaching and playing with their feet. In this position they pat their feet, pull on their feet, put their feet in their mouths, hold toys with their feet, and pass toys from their feet to their hands. Sometimes they have a toy between their hands also a toy between their feet and bang them together. When the baby is playing on their tummy, they sometimes touch and manipulate objects with their feet without using their vision. In these explorations the baby is sensing out beyond their feet, and perceiving the world—rather than just perceiving their bodies. It is the capacity to sense the world out through the limbs that is so helpful for the development of coordinated movement.

It also benefits babies to be barefoot as much as possible when they are bearing weight through their feet. In tummy-lying, babies can push down into the floor more easily with bare toes to propel themselves when they start to scoot forward, and later when they belly crawl. When they are playing in side-lying, they can anchor themselves more easily with bare feet, and this helps their balance. Bare feet also help give the baby a feeling of security when pulling to stand, and in standing and walking. In these activities the baby is sensing out beyond their feet into the supporting surface, and this is very helpful for the development of balance. Bare feet are beneficial inside, and also outside when safe and appropriate.

One of our infant teachers at Sophia’s Hearth has observed that babies will explore their feet when they are barefoot far more than when they have socks or booties on. She has also observed that babies who wear onesies with hands coverings (so designed to prevent newborns and young infants from scratching themselves) for prolonged periods, have a harder time discovering and using their hands. In the winter we can readily observe how limited hand exploration is when little ones wear snowsuits with bulky hand coverings. Of course the coverings keep their hands warm, and this is necessary on cold days, but a solid diet of hand coverings over time would negatively impact the child’s developing body scheme and hand coordination. Similarly, it is helpful for the baby to have bare feet as often as it is feasible. One way to do this is to dress the baby with an extra layer of wool on the legs and torso to keep the child warm enough.

When it is necessary for the feet to be covered, socks with grippers or moccasin-type footwear with soft leather soles help prevent sliding and falls. When the child starts to wear shoes—and indeed throughout childhood—flexible, well-fitting, thin-soled shoes are ideal. The goal is for the child’s foot to have as much connection to the ground as possible. This includes the toes, so running shoes are best avoided in this early stage of life.