Benefits of barefoot play for kids of all ages!

Let them… dig those toes in the sand, wriggle them in the mud, feel the warm grass beneath their bare feet!

Playing barefoot has numerous benefits for children, including:
Develops motor skills: When children play barefoot, they are able to feel the ground beneath their feet, which helps them develop better balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.
Improves deep body stabilization: Or the sense of the position and movement of our body parts which depend on feedback to the brain from nerves in the soles of our feet sensing the ground.​​​​​​​​ Playing barefoot helps children develop better deep body stabilization, which can improve their overall athletic ability and reduce the risk of injury.
Strengthens feet and legs: Going barefoot strengthens the muscles in the feet and legs, which can help prevent common foot problems like flat feet and plantar fasciitis. Strong feet and legs also provide a solid foundation for overall physical health and well-being.
Enhances sensory development: Wearing shoes leaves the shoe-wearer blind to the environment. Nerves in your feet are also sensing other environmental cues like temperature and terrain. When we expose our nerves to new, different environments, the stronger and healthier they become by being forced to adapt to these subtle changes.​​​​​​​​ Barefoot play allows children to experience different textures and surfaces, which can enhance their sensory development and provide a greater understanding of the world around them.
Encourages Mindfulness: Playing barefoot can also encourage mindfulness and a greater connection to the natural world. Children may become more aware of their surroundings and more focused on their play when they are not distracted by shoes and socks.
​​​​​​​
⚠️ It’s important to note that there are some safety considerations when letting children play barefoot. Make sure the area is free of sharp objects, hot surfaces, and other hazards that could cause injury. ​​​​​​​

We learn the most about the world we live in through the senses – touch, listen, look, smell, just maybe don’t taste unless you’re in the garden! ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
️ There are so many benefits for children to engage in regular sensory play – including cognitive development, increased brain function, improved emotional regulation, and heightened ability to process new information.​​​​​​​​
Here are some favorites:​​​​​​​​
◾ Walk barefoot in the dirt, grass, or sand​​​​​​​​
◾ Take a trip to the beach and bury each other in sand​​​​​​​​
◾ Go on a nature hunt – pick up leaves, twigs, rocks, shells​​​​​​​​
◾ Go for a swim – play in the waves of the ocean or lake​​​​​​​​
◾ Make a water table with sand, found objects, water beads, toys, etc​​​​​​​​
◾ Play in the sprinkler​​​​​​​​
◾ Roll down a grassy hill​​​​​​​​
◾ Swing at the playground​​​​​​​​
◾ Plant a garden – dig, plant, water, pull weeds, harvest​​​​​​​​
◾ Find a muddy spot, make mud cakes, get dirty!​​​​​​​​
The options for outdoor sensory activities are endless! Use your imaginations and have fun!​​​​​​​​

Kick off your shoes and make time to *feel* with your feet! Moms and dads, you too!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

plant

Jessica and the staff at her practice are phenomenal. We have a great experience every time we go, and love that the focus is on natural and holistic methods to the extent possible when treating our little one. We are so glad we made the Well Rooted choice!

George V
plant

Valerie and the entire team at well rooted have been an intergral part of my sons health journey. After visiting multiple Drs and not receiving a clear answer, I was at a complete loss on how to help my son. After our initial meeting with Valerie, I immediately knew we were at the right place! Not only did she take the time to listen but reassured both my son and I that we would get to the root cause of the issue. It hasn’t been a quick fix, however, after 6 months my son was feeling better and back to himself and I couldn’t be happier! Valerie didn’t just put a bandaid on the situation, but truly got to the root cause. I’m hopeful for my sons future and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of Val and the entire staff at well rooted. I feel truly blessed to have found them and highly recommend them to any parent who has been let down by the traditional health care system.

Diane S
plant

Jessica, Jacki and all the Well Rooted Staff are amazing. Our Pediatrician retired a few years back and we were in limbo for several years, never feeling like any Dr we saw actually listened to us. After our 1st visit at Well Rooted we knew we finally found “the one”. They listen and take the time to discuss options. They support the patient and put YOU 1st.

Shawna D
plant

We love Well-Rooted Pediatrics. On every visit I feel like Jessica listens to my concerns and cares about my opinions on things regarding my kids. She looks at the whole child and treats the body from the inside out while still knowing there’s a time and place for medicine. With this approach I absolutely trust her and the care she provides for my four kids. Highly recommend, your family will love her too!!

Kristina E
plant

We have used Jessica for several years now. She takes time and care when seeing her patients. My husband and I will always feel like she saved our baby. Our youngest was sick and then ended up with RSV and pneumonia. It was Jessica who kept in touch with and made sure our daughter received the best care.

Gabriel N

390 Congress Pkwy # J
Crystal Lake, IL

814 Commerce Dr., Ste 150
Oak Brook, IL

390 Congress Parkway
Suite I
Crystal Lake, IL

2075 Foxfield Rd.
Suite 102
St. Charles, IL 60174

 © Well Rooted | Design & Development by
Addelise Branding Studio