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>Some news about my little toddler who never owned >shoes: > >Rita is now one year and eight months old, walking, >talking, playing and developing wonderfully. She never >had shoes on her feet, though some time in last winter >she had socks (outside in the stroller). She didn't >particularly like it and now after a long barefoot >summer she stubbornly refuses to put anything on her >feet. > >I read recommendations that children should be >introduced to shoes once they walk steadily or for >their first winter, but obviously she thinks otherwise. > >I respect and support that. In the warm season I went >out barefoot together with her at every opportunity. >That way she turned me into an experienced barefooter >as well ... even at such a young age it's not just the >children who learn from the adults giving examples but >it can also go the other way. > >Now that it's cooled down significantly I notice I >can't stand it that long on cold ground so I wear my >warm shoes again but obviously Rita is fine, she's >cheerful, her feet are warm to the touch. Sometimes >when she steps on something unpleasant there's a brief >unhappy moment but there has never been any injury >worth mentioning even though she walks barefoot >everywhere: not just in the garden and park but also >on the city roads, public transport, to all the shops >we go. I think it's best to experience all those >surfaces right from the beginning, it's the best age >to learn and adjust naturally. > >When we go out I help her into her warm pants, >legwarmers and jacket, putting a cute beanie cap on >her head and a scarf around her neck, but her hands >and feet remain free. So cute and confident! We get >some surprised looks but Rita now has such a disarming >smile and laughter that nobody can be upset at any of >us ... > >Just in case she can't cope with the cold I have >mittens and socks in the bag but never really needed >them yet. It looks like it's better for her if she's >not getting used to footwear, and maybe she can grow >into school age without ever having worn shoes ... Or >even longer if I look at some of the stories here.

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