CHILDRENS FOOTWEAR
Competitive mums and dads can’t wait for their kids to start walking!
A
new survey carried out on behalf of
www.healthylittlefeet.com reveals that competitive parenting starts early, with almost a third of parents admitting to being either ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ competitive about when their child will take his first steps compared with friends’ children of a similar age.
In their eagerness to help their babies’ to walk, 65% of parents surveyed
provided push-along toys, baby walkers and baby bouncers or gave their baby walking practice by holding hands and walking between parents. Some even rearranged the furniture to provide easy hand holds for toddlers ‘cruising’ around the room. Only 22% of parents chose to let their babies’ walking development occur naturally, without any without special intervention. While a child’s first independent steps are eagerly anticipated by most mums and dads, leading podiatrist and consultant to the Healthy Little Feet Campaign, Emma Supple, advises parents against being too pushy: “Gentle encouragement in the form of hand holding or providing push-
along toys is fine, but don’t over do it. Toddlers’ bones aren’t fully formed at this stage and they’re still getting to grips with balance and steering, so it’s best to let their walking development occur at their own pace. Ultimately your child will walk when he or she is ready and able.” The reason for parents’ competitiveness when it comes to walking is unclear.
Some parents may equate early walking with cleverness and future ability. However, it is generally believed that early walkers are no smarter than late walkers. In fact some experts argue that early walkers who put all their
energies into physical activities may start off more slowly in their thinking or language development. Any differences usually even out very quickly. Other parents may be concerned if their child is not walking by his first
birthday, or is later to walk than his peers. According to the website
www.healthylittlefeet.com, it is normal for children to start walking anywhere between 9 and 19 months of age and Emma Supple is keen to reassure parents: “The survey shows that most children start to walk somewhere between 13 and 18 months of age, although some may start a few months earlier or later than this. There’s usually no cause for concern, but if your child is still not walking at 20 months it would be wise to consult your health visitor, GP or podiatrist for advice.” Emma continues: “What’s important is not so much when or how your
child learns to walk, but to remember that tiny feet are very delicate and easily damaged because they contain only partially formed bones and soft cartilage at this early stage. So, when they do start walking independently, it’s vital to make the right choices when it comes to their first shoes.” Research has shown that one out of every two* babies born in the UK
could develop foot problems in adult life as a result of wearing poorly fitted shoes in childhood. The Healthy Little Feet Campaign – which is sponsored by Start-rite, the children’s fitted footwear company – has been set up to educate parents on the importance of expertly measured, properly fitted first walking shoes.
24 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
• SEPTEMBER 2010
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