month 16:

Walking barefoot

Greetings

It’s possible to buy all sorts of shoes for your toddler, including shoes that squeak, shoes that look like animals, and more. They're fun and cute, but it’s also good for your toddler to go barefoot sometimes. Walking barefoot works muscles that your toddler needs to develop and strengthen so they can properly balance when standing. By stimulating nerves in the feet, barefoot walking in early childhood also stimulates more brain development.

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Activities that you can do

Here are a couple of activities you can try with your toddler this month for barefoot walking and upright balance.

1. Bubble wrap walking

Cut a long piece of bubble wrap and tape it to the floor. Invite your toddler to walk on it. How many bubbles can those little feet pop? This activity helps your toddler to develop balance as they enjoy a fun sensory experience.

2. Pushing and pulling

Learning to push and pull objects helps toddlers to develop arm and leg strength. Almost anything in your home can become a push toy (e.g. laundry baskets, cardboard boxes, large balls). Any object with a strap, rope, or string can become a pull toy (e.g. handbags, small suitcases, toy trains). Let your toddler explore pushing and pulling by allowing them to play with some of these common objects in your home.

Remember: If your baby begins to fuss or cry during any of these activities, it might be a sign that they're hungry or need a rest.

Tips for your own self-care

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Think of self-care not as something that happens only when “everything else” gets done, but as an essential part of your day. Some days it might mean going out for a walk or a bike ride by yourself, or even with your kids; other days it might mean taking care of a nagging task that’s on your mind, or just taking a few minutes for deep breathing and meditation. The important thing is to make sure you take time every day to do something that nourishes you.

Things to watch for this month

These are some of the things that you might see your toddler do this month:

Walking without help
Pushing and pulling toys while walking

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Disclaimer: The activities provided in this newsletter are for educational purposes only. If you choose to proceed, do so with caution and at your own risk.

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