Shoes should only be worn when going out on hard surfaces or where there is risk of injury.

Toddlers need to build up muscle strength in their feet.

• We have four layers of muscle underneath our feet.  These muscles help to keep us stable when standing and walking.
• But when you put a thick layer between them (hard sole) and the surface you walk on, you can impede the development of the smaller muscles.  This is made worse if the sole of the shoe is hard and inflexible.

So small toddlers should wear only shoes that have very soft and flexible soles to allow for the natural development of their feet.