“He’d be walking by now if you had him in real shoes”.
If I had a dollar for every time…..right?
My first child didn’t walk until after 15 months. Apparently people thought his ability to bend his feet was the problem. While previous generations did things one way, today we have the benefit of technology to spread education and knowledge to anyone who wants it. This has led to great improvements (and downfalls) in making parenting choices since we have so much information at our fingertips. One area our knowledge improved greatly was in foot development for early walkers.
Our feet are some of our strongest body parts, or at least they should be. Strong muscles and arches need freedom of movement and usage to develop properly. Weak arches and poor balance are not improved with supports, just merely supported. Learning to walk barefoot is actually the ideal! However, in modern society there are all too many reasons you won’t be walking barefoot down a city sidewalk and wouldn’t want your child to either. (Yuck)
When my husband and I were children, soft-soled shoes only came in moccasin form, but today the myriad of soft shoes for your young child is endless. My kids have slow growing feet so a high quality shoe that can last a long time is essential. If the shoe can conform to different foot shapes, making it a win for multiple kids, even better. Quality shoes like Tip Toey Joey, found at Friendly Rooster, are a must have for our family. Whether they are meant for my son’s short, wide feet or my daughter’s long, skinny feet, the soft structure is perfect for young, developing walkers. Tip Toey Joey are based in Brazil and were created by a dad looking for footwear with proper function and great style. Their nonrestrictive design is ideal for youngsters still getting used to their own, personal mode of transportation.
There are a considerable amount of features that make a great baby and toddler shoe:
- An elasticized heel and stretchy tongue for easy on and off action.
- Nonslip grip on the soles are great on tile and wood flooring.
- A soft sole for developing strong arches and allowing toes to grip for balance.
Soft structure is essential for raising up on tip toes, bending feet, and developing a proper heel to toe roll of the foot. This promotes ankle and calf strength.
When your new walker is starting out, he needs to be able to feel the ground beneath his feet and flex his muscles to accommodate and shape his foot to the terrain. His ability to navigate his environment begins with understanding it and his feet are his interface with the ground surface.
The pliable leather in Tip Toey Joey shoes is comfortable and durable. The rubber grips on the soles are perfect not only for our wood floors at home, but also for the slippery tiles floors at the store and doctor office. The insole is lightly padded leather for comfort and odor control.
My son has a totally different shape to his feet from my daughter, but the soft sides allow the shoes to work on either child. The leather feels sturdy, which is comforting, since I hope to use the shoes on the kids for as long as they fit. Kids can grow quickly and it can be frustrating when you cannot get an adequate amount of use from an item. I am pretty confidant Tip Toey Joey shoes can handle another round as a hand-me-down.
Tip Toey Joey has a variety of styles and colors. We like the Funky Sneaker in Bahia Blue since it is very unisex.
Everyone comments on these shoes when we are out and about. I even color coordinate our diaper covers to the shoes! My daughter may not say much yet, but she knows how to point to her feet to show off her big girl shoes.
Tip Toey Joey shoes are available in several more styles like Mary Janes, sandals, and sneakers at Friendly Rooster. They also have toddler and junior lines in addition to the infant shoes. Friendly Rooster also offers quality brands like Livie & Luca, Mad Pax, Angel Dear, Fore, Appaman, Me in mind, Elegant Baby, Native, Morgan and Milo, Neon eaters, and Pediped. Not only does Friendly Rooster offer convenient shoe shopping for busy parents, but they choose their merchandise with with a concern for sustainability and take measures to reduce packaging and shipping materials.
Update: Nearly five years later, we still actually have these shoes!
Winner: 396 Katrina Smith
*Tip Toey Joey review shoes c/o Friendly rooster in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not otherwise compensated.
These shoes are so cute and it really seems like the are designed to nurture babies growing feet. Love it
These are super cute! I’ll pass this along to my new mommy friends
I know what you mean when you talked about how the older generation does things differently – especially about the shoes. My grandmother said the same thing to me! These look so cute and I love how flexible they are. My daughter’s current shoes are very inflexible and she doesn’t like wearing them. I’m definitely going to be looking into these.
I like the Sadie Mary Jane
I have several pairs of Tip Toey Joey shoes for my daughter. She absolutely loves them, and we always get compliments on them. I like that when you buy a pair at Friendly Rooster, a pair gets donated. Such a great brand!
The Love Ballet Shoes are just too cute.
I like the tip toey in red
Tip Toey Joey sandals were awesome for my early walker (10 months) this summer. They are pliable and much easier for her to walk in than regular shoes or sneakers.
http://www.friendlyrooster.com/tip-toey-joey/tip-toey-joey-funky-sneaker-blue
This Is my fave! They would be soo cute on my 16 month old son!!!!
Livie and Luca Peacock Shoe is so cute!
I’d pick the livie and luca elephant shoe for toddler boys!
I like the Pediped Sadie Mary Jane-Toddler Shoes.
Tip Toey Joey!! Super cute!!
I love the girls’ Love Ballet Shoe. Dd had a pair and wore them until she outgrew them. She loved that they looked like ballet shoes but could be worn outside!
I like them all… Bolt Slip Ons are super cute
I love these purple polka dot shoes: http://www.friendlyrooster.com/toddler-girls-shoes/morgan-and-milo-dot-avril-mary-jane
Love these shoes! I’ll definitely have to check them out. And your blog photos are gorgeous. LOVE the color.
The Herby Mary Jane-Baby are adorable!
Also I did not put shoes on my daughter until she started walking. At 9.5 months. Learning to walk is easier and better WITHOUT shoes.
New Mocky shoe baby
Maybe the Munch Sneaker for my son
Jax Sneaker
I like the Flipper Boat Shoe
I looove the Merry Bell Baby Shoe by Livie and Luca.
These are awesome! Since we have a boy, we accessorize with socks and shoes — I love that they make beginning walker shoes in funky (non-orthopedic) styles! We would go with the funky sneaks or the Jones sneaks!
These are awesome! Since we have a boy, we accessorize with socks and shoes — I love that they make beginning walker shoes in funky (non-orthopedic) styles! We would go with the funky sneaks or the Jones sneaks!
oh my gosh! sooooo cute!!! I have two boys and I would LOVE some stinking cute shoes for my little! Charlie Sneaker, Diamonds Slip Ons, Stockton High-Top Shoe, and Funky Sneaker-Baby…..OH MY WORD! I love them! sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo freaking cute! ok I’m done now lol.
These are the cutest shoes I would love to win and try Stockton High-Top Shoe
My daughter likes the Jones Sneaker.
I’d have to say I’m torn between the Jones sneaker and the Sadie Mary Janes.
I totally LOVE the neon V shoes!!
love the fancy mary janes for baby 🙂
Petal sandals
I love the Sadie Mary Janes!
I like the Jones sneaker by Pediped
I love the elephant shoe, and the ramp sneaker
Urby sneaker for baby boy! So cute
I love the baby girl peacock shoes! They would go amazingly with most of her clothing! Thanks for sharing!
I love the Baby Girl Peacock shoes! Too cute!
I love the elephant shoes for little boys. These look like great quality shoes for young walkers.
Love the elephant shoes!
I like the hunch shoes in blue. I like Velcro straps because my little guy can put them on himself.
I love the Livie & Luca Peacock shoe for toddler girls – so darn cute!
I like the Jefferson shoe those are so cute . I have never purchased from friendly rooster but I want to now 🙂
I really love the purple Dot Avril Mary Jane!
Ramp Sneakers are my faves
Those spiky backpacks are adorable!
Love the Miller.
I like the look of the Abigail Mary Jane shoes- so cute!
I like the Skulls Slip Ons