Is Barefoot Walking the Best Option for Toddlers?

Toddlers learn to walk in their bare feet by using their toes to grip the floor and keep their balance. The best environment for barefoot walking is inside your house on a carpet. If your indoor floors are hardwood or tile, then it becomes impossible for your toddler to grip the fllor. And if these floors are also cold, then footwear is needed for warmth and protection. If your toddler goes outdoors to run on a deck, patio or grass, then shoes are necessary.

The best shoe option for mom is Stride Rite shoes. Stride Rite has been manufacturing children shoes since 1919, and in the past 100 years have fit more children in kids shoes, and have done more research on how kids best learn to walk than any other company in the USA. Tootsies Stride Rite, a Stride Rite distributor, has been fitting children shoes in Richmond, Va. at its retail store since 1985.

For more information on Stride Rite shoes and Tootsies Stride Rite, visit our web site by clicking on our store name, Tootsies Stride Rite.

Stride Rite 40 Percent Off Sale at www.tootsiesstriderite.com

Tootsies Stride Rite is having a 40 percent off Stride Rite shoes sale at its online store at http://www.tootsiesstriderite.com/ All of the shoes are current sandals and sneaker styles from spring and summer 2011. This sale will be going on through July5, 2011.

For more information or to view products that have been reduced by 40 percent or more, visit our web site by clicking on our store name, Tootsies Stride Rite, or call us at 1-866-235-0626.

Can My Child Learn to Walk without Shoes?

It’s really important that little feet are able to grip the ground with their toes as they begin to develop bone and muscle in the foot. Your baby can best accomplish this while barefoot but, being barefoot is not always practical. For instance, if its the winter time and you have hardwood floors and they are cold on your bare feet, then you baby's feet will also be cold. Or if its summer time and you are outside, it would not be advisable to put your child bare feet in the grass, on concrete or stoned driveways, for this could cause injuries, cuts and infections.

When footwear is required as in examples above, flexibility and a soft and thin outsole are key. Look at Stride Rite shoes. Stride Rite infant walking shoes have been designed to be worn from the time your child first pulls up and stands around 9 months, to the time your child takes their first steps, around 12 to 15 months.

Our unique SRT product is based on years of research to how children best learn to walk in footwear. For more information about Stride Rite shoes, visit us online by clicking on our name: Tootsies Stride Rite. Tootsies is a Stride Rite distributor located in Richmond, Va. since 1985.

Why should I choose Stride Rite shoes for my child?

Stride Rite has devoted over 90 years of research and experience to bring tested and proven technology to our baby, toddler, and kids shoes. Only stride rite shoes has introduced a first walking shoe that is clinically proven to reduce the number of stumbles and falls when learning to walk. With SRT Toddler technology, you can help minimize stumbles and falls while promoting a healthy walking pattern that your child will have for life. Only Stride Rite infant shoes are constructed with SRT Technology. Most other children shoes are developed on adult walking technology simply brought down to toddler sizes.

And when your toddler does finally take a rest, you can rest too knowing you've made the rite choice in kids footwear.So whether your baby is starting to cruise or is on the move, our Stride Rite shoes will be with you through every step.

Stride Rite shoes are available online at Tootsies Stride Rite, where we always have are shoes on sale for at least 20 percent off manufacturer's suggested retail price. To go to our online store, simply click on our store name, or for immediate assistance, call us at 1-866-235-0626.

Stride Rite Sale

Tootsies Stride Rite's is having an april sale on its online store, Tootsiesstriderite.com, with prices reduced on all Stride Rite shoes, sneakers and sandals by 20 percent, with many Stride Rite sandals reduced by 25 percent off Stride Rite's suggested retail price.



This sale is going on from now until April 3oth. For more information, visit our web site by clicking on the following link: Tootsies Stride Rite, or call us at 1-866-235-0626.

Stride Rite Shoes - Foot Facts

The following are some interesting child foot development facts brought to you by the Stride Rite Corporation, maker of Stride Rite shoes and Tootsies Stride rite. Tootsies is a Stride Rite dealer located in Richmond, Va., since 1985. To find out more about Tootsies, visit our web site by clicking on the following link: Tootsies Stride Rite

Stride Rite Foot Facts:

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  Bones are not fully formed in a child's foot until age 6. While the foot is still developing, the cartilage can be easily influenced by ill fitting footwear


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  The 52 bones in the human foot make up one quarter of all the bones in the human body


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  Babies feet do not have arches. Arches do not start developing until 2 to 3 years old


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  Babies feet perspire two times more than adults, so always look for breathable materials such as leather and mesh or anti-microbial linings


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  The heel is the one bone in the foot that helps to balance baby's entire body


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  Similar to your body, your feet are still growing into your late teen years. So your tenth pair os shoes is just as important as your very first

How do I Know When to Purchase a Larger Shoe for my Child?

Since the bones in your child's feet are still forming up until age 5, it is important to have proper fitting kids shoes to make sure that the bones are protected and not being manipulated in any way. If your child has grown in size since the last time you frequent a children's shoe store, then you need to consider purchasing a new shoe not only for proper foot growth and development but also for comfort. Even though you child may not articulate it, tight fitting shoes can cause blisters and overall discomfort. As you know a child’s foot grows very quickly, which is why getting measured by a fit specialist every few months or using our online fitting tools to keep track of your child's foot growth is important. Different children shoes brands fit differently and it’s difficult to know when to change shoe sizes simply by the size of your current shoe. Here are some things that you can do to see if it’s time to see a fit specialist: • Check the toe box or area around the toes and confirm that it’s roomy and make sure the shoes are not bulging at the sides: (and make sure your kids aren’t curling their toes when checking!) • There should be a thumb's width of space between the largeest toe and the front of the shoe. • A shoe should fit snugly at the heel and instep, and be wide enough to prevent rubbing or squashing from side to side. • The shoe should be deep enough so the toes do not push against the upper section of the shoe. • The shoe should bend at the ball of the foot, not in the middle of the foot • Make sure that’s there is no forcing when putting on shoes • Watch to see if your children are trying to tug at or take off their shoes • Listen if your children start to complain that their shoes are hurting or uncomfortable. • Look at your child’s feet after they wear the shoes to see if there is any redness or marks, which may suggest that the shoe is too tight Tootsies Stride Rite has been fitting Stride Rite shoes in Richmond, Va, since 1985. You can visit us online by clicking on our store name, Tootsies Stride Rite, or calling us at 1-866-235-0626.

Stride Rite Awards

Stride Rite was recently awarded 1st, 2nd and Editor's Choice awards on SheKnows.com, a global destination for women which features the latest news in parenting, entertainment and more. SheKnows 2010 Parents' Choice Awards are in recognition of parenting products and services most valued by the consumer. The awards are broken down into 100 different categories, ranging from gadgets and books, to baby feeding and toys. Stride Rite's awards were for their Robeez baby shoe line and their new SRT Stride rite infant shoe line.

For more information on Stride Rite shoes, visit our online web site by clicking on our name:

Tootsies Stride Rite

Stride Rite Shoes

Stride Rite shoes are not like any other children’s shoes you will every purchase. Stride Rite shoes inspires kids to run faster and jump higher, supports baby’s feet in taking that first step and helps moms feel confident that Stride Rite shoes are the healthy choice for their child. That is why stride rite is the leader in designing premium fashionable childrens shoes, from Stride Rite baby shoes that help your baby take their first steps, to premium Stride Rite girls shoes for back to school, to Stride Rite boy shoes for that active young toddler of yours. Stride Rite is a champion in research, using the latest technology, quality materials, and footwear engineers to develop kids shoes that lead to a lifetime of healthy walking.

The Stride Rite S.T.E.P. System - Part 2

Stride Rite's new infant walking shoe product line has been given the accronim S.T.E.P. System meeting Scientifically Tested, Everyday Proven. The S.T.E.P. system is a collection of Stride Rite shoes based on the lastest research breakthroughs and technology.

The Stride Rite shoes based on our SRT (Sensory Response Technology) will give your child greater feel of the terrain. Sensory pods on the outsole offer multiple reaction points, increasing your toddlers feel of the ground beneath them. More natural support of the midfoot based on the soles hourglass construction give your toddler's foot support of bones and muscles not fully developed. Untra-flexible design allow your toddler movve to move in many directions so your toddler learns how to adapt to uneven surfaces.

Did You Know? by Stride Rite

The following is an interesting fact that is brought to you by Stride Rite:

Did you know that children's feet should be measured every 2 to 3 months until at least the age of 3 and every 4 to 6 months from age 3 to age 10. From birth until age 10, children's feet grow about 6 inches.

That is why having you child measured by a Stride Rite trained fitting is extremely cricital to maintain proper fitting kids shoes. During these years, expecially ages 1 to 5, your child will not inform you that their shoes need to be replaced, so you as the parent have to be pro-active.

For more information on Stride Rite shoes and assistance in properly fitting your child, please visit our web site by clicking on the following: Tootsies Stride Rite or call us toll free at 1-866-235-0626.

The Stride Rite S.T.E.P. System -Part 1

Stride Rite's new infant shoe product line has been given the accronim S.T.E.P. System meeting Scientifically Tested, Everyday Proven. The S.T.E.P. system is a collection of Stride Rite shoes based on the lastest research breakthroughs and technology.

#1. Soft Motion: A thin protective outsole allowing for proper foot development for healthy feet. A soft flexible outsole enables your infant to feel the ground beneath them to assist with learning to walk. Round edges mimic the shape of your baby's foot, which helps to prevent them from cathching an edge.