Q&A for How to Transition Your Kids to a Barefoot Lifestyle

I would let them enjoy the lights for now. Once the newness wears off, you can associate certain games and experiences with going barefoot. Making a nightly routine, playing this little piggy, nibbling their toes and tickling them will encourage most kids to prefer remaining barefoot.

Many children go barefoot to public bathrooms at the beach, and it won't be much different going barefoot in a gas station. The only concern would be if they have a cut, in which case they should avoid unclean surfaces. Children accustomed to going barefoot 24/7 have the same capabilities as a dog with healthy paws, so in most instances there's no need to be over-cautious.

The best option for winter are knitted garters which fit above the ankles. These will enable your kids to maintain better circulation and feel the ground under their feet while still remaining toasty! If they absolutely must have shoes, try Manitobah Mukluks. These will keep your kids' feet warm, while their wide toe box maintains proper room for growth.

The extremities tend to grow at an accelerated rate to support future weight. One more reason parents should avoid purchasing shoes and socks for their child's ever-growing feet!

Some parents play with their child’s feet to stimulate their nervous system, aid motor-coordination and foster bonding. During early childhood the feet are finely tuned sensory organs, containing a third more sensory receptors than the hands and protected by an inch of fatty cushioning in the pads. From age one through seven, a child gains the highest percentage of sensory information through the soles of their feet.

Of course not! Some people prefer going barefoot because of the health benefits associated with it. However, it may not be right for everybody. As with all lifestyle changes like this, it's best to consult a doctor beforehand.

Going barefoot can show other's that you're connected to nature and free-spirited.

As the Mom, it is up to you to decide your child’s dress-code. Parents know best whether their child needs a hat, coat, gloves or shoes. If the terrain is safe and you determine they don’t need shoes, keep them barefoot. Using positive incentives will always encourage the child, so make sure to praise and encourage them whenever they go barefoot by choice!

Teenaged children tend to be more independent, but careful selection of peers and complimenting them for their strength and endurance will encourage them. Emphasize that their hands and feet are perfectly designed by nature for what they are made to do; if they've been barefoot up to this point, it will be less of a novelty or struggle for them. If they are just starting out, begin slow in places where they won't feel out of place, and encourage them to try new places with friends. At this stage, peers are the most influential element in the child's life, so try to find like-minded families committed to minimalist lifestyles for them to connect with and let them make their own decisions.

This decision is up to your nephew’s mother. If she decides it is safe to let him remain barefoot all the time, you can certainly encourage her by finding grassy parks or sensory paths for your nephew to safely explore. The transition of a child to a barefoot lifestyle is an individual choice for the parents to make.

The best way for a child to build up natural, healthy pads is to remain barefoot. Encourage them to explore new places without shoes, and add two extra minutes of positive reinforcement play whenever they successfully navigate a new area barefoot!

A child who is shy about their bare feet is usually so because of negative feedback received from peers. To respond to this as a parent, emphasize how perfectly designed their feet are by drawing comparison to similarities between their own bare feet and those of other creatures on earth. A shoe is an inanimate article, whereas their feet are a part of them to be respected and cherished in the same degree as the rest of their person. Nature's original function and design can be appreciated.