That children walk barefoot generally worries parents; We think they may get hurt or catch a cold. However, various studies have shown that going barefoot can have significant advantages for the growth and development of children as long as it is done in a safe and clean environment. In those conditions let your baby walk barefoot It brings many benefits and today we share them with you.
Do children catch colds if they walk barefoot?
One of the concerns about not letting them walk barefoot is that they will catch a cold. However, this it doesn't have to happen. Walking barefoot does not cause a child to catch a cold. The cause of the cold is a viral infection that spreads mainly through direct contact with a sick person or by inhaling contaminated particles.
It is important, however, that children are protected from extreme temperatures and to keep their feet clean and dry to avoid any type of infection. In addition, it is recommended that you wash your hands before touching your face or eating to prevent the spread of viruses.
Is it good for babies to go barefoot?
The newborn's feet have a fatty pad on the sole that disappears around 12 months of age, when the plantar arch begins to form. andar. Until then, footwear is just an ornament, with no practical function. Experts advise, in fact, that children remain barefoot during the first year of life. But what happens from there?
From one year onwards it is still beneficial for children to walk barefoot. Letting them explore the world with their bare feet is, in fact, a practice recommended by pediatricians and child development professionals, as long as it is done in a safe and clean environment.
Studies have shown that The benefits are not only physical, but also cerebral and cognitive. This is reflected, for example, in the study “Preventive podiatry: barefoot children equal to more intelligent children”, carried out by Isabel Gentil.
What benefits does walking barefoot bring?
Walking barefoot can give children a solid foundation for a healthy growth and optimal motor development. Some of the benefits include strengthening the muscles and bones of the feet, developing balance and coordination, as well as stimulating the senses and connecting with the environment. Discover them all!
Improves circulation
Because socks and shoes often constrict the foot and hinder blood flow. This is not the case, however, when we walk barefoot with our feet directly on the ground. That is why it is important to walk barefoot.
Brain development
It has been shown that during the first months of life children have increased sensitivity in the feet that in the hands. The many nerve endings in the feet contribute to the maturation of their nervous system and therefore their intellectual development. That is why it is advisable to encourage them to walk barefoot and play with their feet.
stimulates the nervous system
The Nerve endings that are held on the sole of the foot cause information to be transmitted to the body about the space in which we move and the movement itself when walking barefoot. The different textures, the temperature, the surface you walk on... all of this stimulates the nervous system and promotes sensory learning in children.
Strengthens the muscles
Walking barefoot makes your feet stronger, but it also positively affects your ankles, legs and knees. The body thus improves your posture and injuries are prevented. It also contributes in a special way to better development of the plantar arch, which prevents flat feet.
Helps balance
When walking barefoot, the feet are in direct contact with the ground, which allows the child to better perceive their balance and posture. This encourages a increased body awareness and helps develop proprioception, which is the ability to perceive the position and movement of the body
The child's feet are also exposed to different surfaces and textures, which stimulates the pressure sensors in the feet. And this improves the child's ability to adjust her balance based on the different sensations she experiences in her feet.
favors learning
There is no scientific evidence that supports the statement that walking barefoot directly promotes learning in children. However, some of the benefits already discussed can influence the child's ability to actively participate in certain activities which, in turn, can positively affect the child's ability to learn.