It’s time to discard our kid’s shoes! The simple joys of being barefoot

Yesterday, I was at the Bloom 2017 festival with my four-year-old girl and 18 month old boy.

It was a glorious afternoon (helped by the weather) and certainly there is plenty to keep the kids transfixed (seriously - you should all go). I'd love to say that the highlight of the excursion was something unique, meaningful and/or immensely educational. But it wasn't: my children's most joyous moment came in the admittedly pretty wonderful family farm area (thanks, O'Egg). Presented with a sandpit filled with tractors and diggers, they of their own accord flung off shoes and socks and dived straight in. The tractors and diggers certainly entertained, but the real joy was far more simple: with laugh-out-loud glee, my son and daughter delighted in burying their toes deep into the white sand, and then pulling up their feet with happy squeals as the grains fell down around their ankles. Afterwards, they ran around on the grass equally content with feeling the soil beneath them. In short, I think I can say that my kids really, really loved being barefoot on a June's day in the Phoenix Park. Which is probably a good thing - because plenty of studies sing the benefits of discarding shoes and socks during those early years. Indeed, research says that letting kids go shoeless does wonders for their foot and brain development. On the other hand (or foot), further reports suggest that repeatedly donning footwear - however fancy - as a baby or toddler can cause foot problems in later life. As ScaryMommy.com says: For babies and toddlers in particular, exploring the world with bare feet offers sensory stimulation, which helps develop various parts of the brain. "Neurological pathways are built through new experiences. The feet are one of the most nerve-rich parts of the human body, and allowing kids to fully feel variations in texture and terrain on their feet helps them learn to be mindful of their surroundings, aids in balance and coordination, and builds neuromuscular strength." Hear, hear, says HerFamily. As the weather gets better - we also say discard those sandals, runners, and boots. And instead, let your children embrace the many, simple joys of being barefoot.