Are you currently on the hunt for the best shoes for toddlers? So are we.
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Audrey has been standing and cruising all around our house for the past month. It is my guess that she will probably be walking very soon. I realized it is time to get this girl some shoes when I brought her home from a couple hours of playing at the library and noticed her very dirty feet. Sister does not want to be held or sit in the stroller anymore so I figured it was time to pick up a few pairs of shoes for her.
So today I have rounded up some of the best shoes for toddlers. More specifically, babies who already are or are just about to start walking. Finding cute girls shoes is not hard by any means and I can see how quickly Audrey’s shoe collection will grow. I wanted to focus on practical shoes that will be good for Audrey to play in as well as for when she begins walking.
I was really curious what physical therapists and pediatricians consider a good first shoe so I checked in with my friend Cari. Cari is a physical therapist and mama to three active (and incredibly handsome) boys. If one person was going to know about the best shoes for toddlers, it would absolutely be Cari!
Cari said that your toddlers first shoes should be flexible and lightweight. Checking to see if the shoe will bend is a good tip to ensure the shoe will allow your toddler’s foot to move like they are barefoot. Walking requires a lot of strength so it is best if the shoes are light on your toddler’s feet.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that toddlers be barefoot as much as possible. Because foot development occurs best when children are barefoot, the AAP recommends that shoes only be worn by toddlers when safety is of concern.
Interesting, huh? I didn’t know that kiddos are actually encouraged to go barefoot! I’ll save these facts for the next time I get a judgy look for my kids deciding to ditch their shoes 😛
I hope you found this post helpful! Let me know in the comments below where you shop for your toddler’s shoes. Do you find a particular style to work best for your kids? I’d love to know.
