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From: ac4@pucc-j (Tom Putnam)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Shoes and becoming a Toddler
Message-ID: <707@pucc-j>
Date: Fri, 10-Jan-86 10:48:17 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-j.707
Posted: Fri Jan 10 10:48:17 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 17-Jan-86 02:28:59 EST
References: <839@hou2d.UUCP>
Reply-To: ac4@pucc-j.UUCP (Tom Putnam)
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Lines: 34

In article <839@hou2d.UUCP> rcn@hou2d.UUCP (R.C.Newberry) writes:
>What is the best way for infants to learn to walk; barefoot, with socks,
>with sneakers or with the Stride Rites??  

Speaking from recent experience with one toddler (doesn't that make me an 
expert?), we had really good luck with simple soft leather Indian moccasins.
We were fortunate to receive a couple of pairs as baby gifts.  They give
the child better traction on tile and wood floors than socks (and we do
wear socks in this climate to keep the feet warm).  They also help keep
the socks from wearing out and getting dirty, but I suppose that is an
incidental advantage.  From what we read and heard, you should avoid
anything that is stiff or heavy (don't buy the moccasins with soles).  Our
daughter starting walking just before she was 9 months old and managed to
wear out 2 different pairs, but she also outgrew them just as fast, so
wearing them out doesn't much matter.  She is now into her third pair at 
age 19 months.  We finally bought her some soft sneakers to wear outside,
but she loves to wear her moccasins around the house.

One small problem:  They may be hard to find in the stores.  We were
fortunate to have friends and relatives who live in New Mexico!

-- 
Tom Putnam, Manager of User Services
Purdue University Computing Center

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