Awakening: barefoot, we fill up with sensations!

Little bare feet in the forest

In France, around twenty “barefoot” courses exist. The opportunity for toddlers and their families to explore the forest… without shoes!

Barefoot hikes: a growing success from Germany

This morning, four young walkers and their mother met at the Domaine de la Pépinière, near Blois, to walk the “barefoot” path at their own pace. Walking in the forest with your toes in the air, what a funny idea! However, this “well-being” hiking concept, created in Germany in the 90s, is increasingly popular in France. About twenty courses already exist. A fad or a real good idea? In any case, young and old seem to like it. There are even fans. Like Camylle who has already tested this activity and who returns with pleasure. Easily accessible, this 1 kilometer path is made mostly of dirt and grass. It has been laid out with plots of natural materials that come from the region – wood chips, pebbles… But also plastic materials such as pearls, so that children can learn the difference between the elements found in nature. and those made by man. In total, more than thirty textures. And, of course, no risk of falling on bits of glass or rubbish, this trail is perfectly maintained. Before getting started, Marion, the host of this mini-hike, offers toddlers to prepare their feet. It is also a way of becoming aware of this very often neglected part of the body. She shows them how to massage their arch, their toes, relax their ankles… A quick introduction to foot reflexology in a way. Each one lends itself to the game with fun. Even Gabin, the youngest of the group. At just 19 months old, he tries to do rotations with his feet. After this little warm-up, they are all set.

Barefoot, children discover new sensations

Camylle, as a regular, leads the way. Followed by Louise and Gabin. Malhé prefers to keep his sneakers for the moment. While some people easily take off their shoes, others need time to adapt.. Better not to force them and wait until they feel confident enough. For the little ones, who have more fragile skin, it is advisable to keep their shoes with you to put them back on the road if their feet hurt. The merry band ventures on the path which winds through acacias, oaks and hundred-year-old mulberry trees. With the dew, the grass is still a little wet this morning. Gabin, surprised by the coolness of the ground, really tiptoes forward. The older ones progress quickly by following Minette, the owner’s cat, who knows every nook and cranny of the estate. With insurance, they walk on slates, corks, pebbles … Louise doesn’t dare set foot on the straw, then she realizes that “It doesn’t even hurt!” »And that it is even rather pleasant. At the end of ten minutes, Malhé finally takes off his shoes, determined to take advantage too. Soft, rough or prickly, children perceive a lot of sensations that they are not used to experiencing… with their feet. Did you know that the arch of the foot has over 7 nerve endings? Which makes it a sensory area in its own right.

Walking barefoot therefore not only stimulates it, but also massages it. Super-relaxing effect as a bonus. Camylle and Louise play the balancing act. Carefully, they walk on a tree trunk. Successful bet ! One of the other assets of this trail is to work on your sense of balance. The supports on the ground are different and we do not stand in the same way. On the course, the “obstacles” to be overcome follow one another: climb logs of different heights, jump from one stone to another or from one tile to another … It is difficult not to fall when you are sinking into mud ! A good workout, even for the little ones who are starting to walk. They experiment with new postures and thus improve their stability. At the bend of an alley, surprise, Mahlé sees animal prints in the earth. Those of a deer. A good opportunity to get acquainted with the animals. Moreover, on the way, the children come face to face with earthworms, slugs, snails and even an anthill. A life-size bestiary! Without forgetting that while walking in the forest, they are introduced to a wide range of smells. Camylle has fun sniffing each flower. For even more olfactory stimulation, activities are planned on the path: recognizing the aromatics, guessing the name of the scents placed on clay balls, finding the scent of different candies… This last activity is a great success! After all these sensory experiences, the children got their fill of nature. A brush stroke to clean their feet, but without water, to respect the environment. The course has barely finished, the children are already eager to return quickly for an expedition rich in discoveries.