Step By Step

STEP BY STEP...

As your little one takes her first steps, is she equipped with the right pair of shoes to cross this milestone?

Among the many milestones that many parents wouldn't want to miss, watching their baby take her very first step is listed as one of the most important. By the time she turns one year old, you would already have witnessed that special milestone that would have left you beaming with pride. Babies usually begin to walk at around nine to twelve months old. However, some only begin at sixteen months old, and this is okay.

Baby Steps

Before your little one begins to walk, she would learn to sit, roll over and crawl. When she is around eight months old, she should begin to start pulling herself up to a standing position. Babies that are working on pulling themselves upright learn that there are something in the room, what we call the 'pillars', are things that would not move when pulled. Before this age, they expect that all things would move if pulled.

As the next few weeks pass, she would move on to cruising. She would be holding on to tables and couches to take her where she needs to go. And before you knew it, she may be taking her first step towards independence. Keep in mind that every child develops at their own pace.

And still growing...

Walking around barefooted will help your little one develop tactile functions on top of balance and coordination. Do this at home where it is safe. Walking on grass and sand is also good for development of foot muscles too. Children needs to also be trained on gluteal (butt) muscles too. Activities such as crawling, kicking and swimming are great for strengthening hips, thighs and calves.

Walking Tall

It is important to invest in a good pair of shoes for your little one, though this can be costly, especially when she will outgrow her shoes in just a matter of months. Children's feet grow very rapidly, and is always good to have a professional to measure their feet every two to three months' to ensure that the shoes are of the correct size.

Take care not to buy a size larger than her current feet size, as this would only make her walk more clumsily, or fall and hurt herself. Shoes should not be too tight to cause blisters, corn or in-grown toenails. We do not want that to happen. Say No No to high heels as these would cause calf muscle tightness and reduce the development of a proper arch. Flip flops are also not recommended though they are comfortable to adults, but definitely not for kids. They would tend to claw their toes to grip the flip flops. This cause them to overuse their small muscles in their feet and calf muscles.

Always remember, comfort is the key.

SHOE SHOPPING TIPS

Guidelines to shopping a good pair of shoes for your little one.

- shop later in the day. Your little one's feet would expand to about five per cent at the end of the day so this ensures you get the correct size.
- outline your child's foot on a piece of paper and cut it out. Bring it along during shopping, and insert the cut out into the shoe. You will know that the shoe is too tight if the sides get crumpled up.
- how to check for fitting? Insert your pinky finger between the shoe and her heel. If the width of your thumb can fit between the tip of her toes and the tip of her shoe, that would prevent her toes from bumping against the end of her shoes when she runs.
- It helps to let your little one toddle around the store for a while, then check for any irritable spots to ensure the shoes are comfortable.

Have a fun time shopping with your little one. ^_^

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