Barefoot When We Get In

What you need

• their shoes and socks
• a rug or mat

How to do it

1. Step out to the doorstep or the garden in shoes and socks, then come in and sit down together on the rug.
2. Shoes off first. They pull, you help with whatever's stuck.
3. Then socks, rolled down past the heel for them to pull.
4. Let them walk about barefoot for a bit before anything goes back on.

Why it matters

Bare feet on the floor at home is good for feet that are still learning to walk, so ending with nothing on makes the whole routine worth doing rather than just something to get through.

What they're learning

Shoes then socks

Two steps in a fixed order, which is the start of a sequence they'll follow themselves.

Feet on the floor

Feeling the floor properly is how feet learn to grip and balance.

Finishing the job

Bare feet at the end is a clear, felt result of the work they just did.

What to look for

Watch for them wiggling their toes once the socks are off. Feet notice the difference.

A tip

Shoes are for walking outside. Indoors, barefoot is better for new walkers than any shoe or slipper, and it's easier to practise with.

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