Many parents struggle to get their children to keep their shoes on, especially in the car. Two-year-olds love to take their shoes off whether it’s a long or short trip! Regardless of the environment or the weather outside, they always want to be barefoot. While this may sound like normal toddler behavior, it isn’t always the case. 

Taking their shoes off is one way young children try to communicate with you since they can’t explicitly tell you how they feel. 

Studies have shown that one major reason they do this is that the shoes they have on are not comfortable, and in reality, many kids’ shoes aren’t. That is why comfortable shoes like orthopedic slides are highly recommended for indoor and outdoor use. They are extra soft, have an ergonomic design, are stylish, and best of all, they promote foot health—protecting your child’s feet from the scorching sand or the sharp objects hiding in the park.

That said, discomfort isn’t the only reason children take their shoes off. There are several other reasons, and as parents, it’s important that we know why they do this so we can attend to them quickly. 

Without further ado, here are other possible reasons why your kid chooses to walk barefoot than wear their shoes.

1. Children Prefer to Walk Barefoot Due to Feet Sensitivity

Children have sensitive feet. It is how they stay connected to their immediate environment and explore different sensations. Shoes prevent them from having this sensory connection, so they remove them to feel that connection again.

As parents, it is important that we try not to sever this connection. Your child needs it for their development, especially because it helps them build their emergency sensing abilities.

2. Kids Take Their Shoes Off During Foot Development

Your kids will take off their shoes more often when their feet are forming. During this stage, shoes might create too much pressure and tend to compress their feet. So, a child’s natural response would be to fling those shoes away.

Too much compression or pressure on developing feet can lead to deformities. Hence, it is necessary to keep them barefoot as much as possible during this stage.

3. To Express Their Sense of Independence

When children start developing a sense of independence, they show it by removing their shoes. As kids grow, they begin to express their individuality. So, they might take off their shoes simply because they don’t like the color or how it makes them feel or look.

If they keep doing this to a particular pair of shoes, then it might be time to take them to Walmart or Target for a new pair. And maybe let them make the decision themselves this time around.

4. They Love The Attention

Sometimes, your kids may take off their shoes because they love the attention it brings. Whether you grumble, treat them to a snack, or simply put the shoes right back on, they love it all. So, to get that reaction from you again, they will take their shoes right off and throw them as far as their little hands can.

When you hear them cackle as you go to fetch their shoes and put them back on, you know they are seeking your attention. It is now a game.

5. Children See, Children Do

Kids love to mimic what they see adults do all the time. When they take off their shoes, it could just be them copying what they’ve seen you or other grown-ups do. It is unconscious learning.

If they see you take off your shoes when you get home, they will copy you. You just have to do a lot of positive reinforcement to get them to keep their shoes on as instructed.

Kids taking off their shoes is more common than you may think, so there’s no call for concern. All you have to do is keep them in the most comfortable shoes and teach them how to keep their shoes on until you say otherwise.

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