The Inspire Philosophy: Barefoot
The Inspire Philosophy: Barefoot
Two of our bodies' most sensitive areas, full of nerves and receptors, are our hands and our feet! Little hands are always experiencing new things, but what about their feet?
Children’s brains learn through experiences. The input from what they touch, taste, smell, feel, and hear is what creates new neural pathways in their brains. Each time they experience these sensations again, those neural pathways become stronger, allowing for quicker and more efficient processing. That’s why we always say that practice makes perfect!
How does it feel to dip our feet in ice-cold water? Or feel the slipperiness of paint between our toes? How about the tickle of grass as we run through it? These experiences are rich in sensory input, helping children develop proprioception (body awareness) and vestibular function (balance and coordination).
The Benefits of Going Barefoot in Early Childhood
The more time spent barefoot, the more opportunities children have to develop a range of essential skills:
Improved Balance and Coordination: When children are barefoot, they engage the small muscles in their feet and ankles, which are crucial for balance and stability.
Strengthened Foot Muscles: Shoes can restrict natural movement, while going barefoot allows for the full range of motion, strengthening the arches and promoting healthy foot development.
Enhanced Sensory Perception: Walking barefoot provides vital sensory feedback, improving spatial awareness and helping children better understand their environment.
Better Posture and Alignment: Natural foot movement supports the body’s alignment, reducing the risk of flat feet and other postural issues.
Grounding and Emotional Regulation: The practice of ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding’ connecting with the natural elements through bare feet, has been shown to have calming effects, reducing stress and improving mood.
Links to Educational Pedagogies
The importance of being barefoot aligns with several early childhood pedagogies:
Montessori Philosophy emphasizes sensory-rich environments where children learn through direct experience. Going barefoot encourages children to engage with their surroundings more fully, refining their sensory processing skills.
Reggio Emilia Approach values experiential learning, where children are given the freedom to explore their world in a natural and unstructured way. Being barefoot allows for a deeper connection to their learning environments.
Waldorf Education promotes a holistic approach to child development, where movement and sensory experiences are essential for cognitive and emotional growth. Barefoot exploration aligns perfectly with Waldorf’s emphasis on nature and physical play.
Forest Schools encourage outdoor learning, where children are often barefoot to better experience and connect with their environment. This enhances their resilience, independence, and physical development.
The Legacy of Barefoot Play at Kid’s Island Nursery
As an eco-nursery in Dubai, established in Jumeirah for the last 30 years, we are honored to welcome the next generation of students into the Kid’s Island Nursery family. As a leading Nursery in Dubai and Preschool in Dubai, we understand the importance of sensory-rich experiences in early childhood education. It is rewarding to hear parents say, “I remember what it felt like when I experienced this at the nursery for the first time.”
Cherishing childhood memories and creating new ones is essential for fostering a lifelong love for learning and exploration. So, the next time you visit the park, play in the garden, or engage in messy play, why not do it barefoot? Let’s embrace the magic of natural learning, one barefoot step at a time!