Why Barefoot-Inspired First Shoes Matter for Infant and Toddler Foot Health

When should I start thinking about shoes?

One of the most common questions parents ask is when they should start thinking about shoes or at least something more than socks.

Often it sneaks up on you. A new developmental milestone. A change in the weather. A shift in routine or environment. Suddenly you find yourself looking at what is available and trying to work out what is actually best.

I remember weighing up practicality with style and aesthetic and feeling largely uninspired by the options. In the end I went with what was broadly accepted as suitable for the stage we were at.

Looking back there were plenty of shoes on the market but many looked the same only partially addressed what children really need and were often made from cheap synthetic materials.

At Brightland everything we design comes back to one idea: natural movement is the foundation of healthy development. And perhaps counter intuitively that begins with no shoes at all.

Why barefoot time matters

As a parent and through years of learning alongside specialists in foot health and biomechanics one thing has become clear. Barefoot time plays an important role in early development.

Being barefoot allows young children to:

• develop balance and coordination naturally

• strengthen growing muscles and arches

• receive essential sensory feedback from the ground

This is why barefoot is always our starting point both as parents and as designers. Before introducing shoes it is worth asking whether they are actually needed in that moment.

So when do shoes make sense?

Shoes do have an important role just not all the time. With such a broad range of options available it can be hard to know what is appropriate and when.

Shoes are most useful when children need protection for example:

• transitioning between environments

• spending time outdoors or in unfamiliar spaces

• navigating rough or uneven surfaces

At home and in safe indoor environments barefoot is often the best option.

This is also where many parents feel caught between socks that are not enough and shoes that feel like too much.

A simple way to think about it

Rather than focusing on age it can be more helpful to think about how and where your child is moving.

Barefoot
Best for home and safe indoor spaces where freedom of movement matters most.

Soft shoes
Ideal for nursery days transitioning between environments and the early stages of independent movement indoors and out. This is the space where we saw the biggest gap. Many options either slipped off rolled under the foot or relied on synthetic materials that did not breathe well. We created RISE to sit between socks and shoes offering protection without interfering with natural movement.

First walker shoes
As toddlers become more confident they spend longer on their feet and begin navigating more varied terrain. They need something more robust and durable but not at the expense of their ability to move naturally and stay close to the ground. Brightland's WANDER is designed for this next phase when independent walking is established and environments become more demanding.

There is no perfect shoe for every foot or every situation. Children move differently environments vary and needs change quickly. Our aim is not to tell parents what to do but to share the principles that have guided us as parents and as designers so you can make the choice that feels right for you and your child.

A note on real life

In reality there will always be moments when practicality takes over. Wellies for puddles. Shoes that need to be slipped on quickly. Times when children have very strong opinions about what they will and will not wear.

The goal is not perfection. It is awareness.

Most of the time children benefit from being barefoot or in footwear that supports how their feet are designed to move. When shoes are needed choosing ones that respect natural movement and development can make a meaningful difference over time.

Key things to keep in mind

• Feet play a vital role in development and change quickly in the early years

• Pay attention to how shoes fit and how your child moves in them

• The heel should feel secure without slipping

• The foot should sit flat and stable and close to the ground

• Go barefoot where possible and choose shoes thoughtfully when protection is needed

Most of the time children benefit from footwear that aligns with barefoot principles: natural movement space for toes to spread a flat profile and close contact with the ground.