The Benefits of Letting Children go Barefoot
This blog is for the barefoot advocate, for those educators sick of helping children put shoes back on when they don’t want to and don’t need to safety wise. Yes, we agree that shoes should be worn in some circumstances (around fire, hand tools, when riding bikes and scooters, in some water sources out the gate) but generally, if we’re talking about playing inside the gate, there is no reason children shouldn’t be going barefoot as much as possible.
So if you need some research to help convince your team/leadership/parents etc. Here it is!
Better balance and jumping ability
Children who habitually go barefoot scored higher on balance and long-jump tests than children who usually wore shoes.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29922637/
2. More natural foot development and arch morphology
Barefoot children displayed different (often more natural) foot-arch and hallux (big-toe) angles compared to those wearing shoes.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28808276/3. Improved toe ground contact (“untouched toes” reduced)
Barefoot kindergarten children had fewer “untouched toes” (toes not contacting the ground) than shoed peers.
Source: https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40101-016-0097-34. Greater sensory feedback and proprioception
Barefoot play enhances nerve feedback from the soles, supporting sensory development and body awareness.
Source: https://www.careforkids.com.au/child-care-provider-articles/article/978/barefoot-learning-benefits-too-great-to-walk-past5. Stronger foot and lower-leg muscles
Without stiff shoes, foot and ankle muscles are more active, strengthening naturally through everyday movement.
Source: https://www.weareoutgrown.org/resources/56723/benefits-of-going-barefoot6. More natural gait and running pattern
Barefoot activity promotes natural foot strike and gait mechanics, potentially reducing long-term strain.
Source: https://pure.bond.edu.au/ws/files/47242502/AM_Long_term_effects_of_school_barefoot_running_program.pdf7. Improved agility and surface adaptability
Children learn to adapt to different textures (grass, sand, floor), improving balance and agility.
Source: https://www.careforkids.com.au/child-care-provider-articles/article/978/barefoot-learning-benefits-too-great-to-walk-past8. Enhanced sensory learning through tactile exploration
Varied ground textures stimulate sensory and neural development.
Source: https://www.weareoutgrown.org/resources/56723/benefits-of-going-barefoot9. Reduced risk of shoe-related foot deformities
Poorly fitted or stiff shoes can alter natural foot shape; barefoot play supports unrestricted growth.
Source:
https://www.careforkids.com.au/child-care-provider-articles/article/978/barefoot-learning-benefits-too-great-to-walk-past10. Better toe spread and alignment
Barefoot children tend to have wider toe splay and better alignment, supporting stable posture.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28808276/11. Encourages self-regulation and risk awareness
Barefoot children feel terrain directly, adjusting pace and stance for safety and balance.
Source: https://eastkimberleycollege.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Barefoot-Handbook-K-PP.pdf12. Strengthened connection with nature
Direct contact with grass, dirt, and sand enhances sensory connection and appreciation of the environment.
Source: https://www.careforkids.com.au/childcarenews/2019/august/6/barefoot.html13. Healthier foot width and natural shape
Habitually barefoot children show broader forefeet, reflecting natural growth patterns.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28808276/14. Enhanced motor skills in early childhood
The most noticeable improvements in balance and jumping were in children aged 6–10 years.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29922637/15. Long-term benefits for foot health
Childhood footwear habits influence adult foot structure and health outcomes.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28808276/16. Fuller activation of foot joints and arches
Barefoot play engages all 26 bones, 33 joints, and 100+ muscles in the feet and ankles.
Source: https://www.careforkids.com.au/child-care-provider-articles/article/978/barefoot-learning-benefits-too-great-to-walk-past17. Improved coordination through sensory integration
Enhanced sensory feedback from feet supports the body–brain balance system.
18. Better hazard awareness and potentially fewer falls
Children barefoot detect uneven or rough terrain faster and adapt their steps.
Source: https://www.careforkids.com.au/childcarenews/2019/august/6/barefoot.html19. Supports natural developmental movement
Crawling, walking, and running patterns occur more naturally when barefoot.
Source: https://www.careforkids.com.au/child-care-provider-articles/article/978/barefoot-learning-benefits-too-great-to-walk-past20. Simplifies routines and promotes autonomy
Barefoot environments (especially indoors) reduce shoe changes and increase spontaneous play.
Source: https://www.careforkids.com.au/childcarenews/2019/august/6/barefoot.html21. Grounding (Earthing): Potential physiological and emotional benefits
Walking barefoot on natural surfaces may promote calmness, reduce inflammation, and improve emotional well-being by connecting with the Earth’s electrical charge.
Additional Sources:
Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., & Delany, R. M. (2012). Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, 291541.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/291541Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., & Brown, R. (2015). The Effects of Grounding (Earthing) on Inflammation, the Immune Response, Wound Healing, and Chronic Disease. Journal of Inflammation Research, 8, 83–96.
https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S69656For practical child-development context:
https://www.careforkids.com.au/child-care-provider-articles/article/978/barefoot-learning-benefits-too-great-to-walk-past
So let’s get our children outdoors barefoot!