Tiptoes, Flat Feet and Funny Steps: Understanding Toddler Foot Development

Once children get past those wobbly first steps, they often develop some interesting walking patterns to get themselves around. They may look funny to you or me — but how can you tell what’s normal and when to worry?

Little Feet, Big Questions: What’s Normal in Baby Foot Development?

If having a new baby wasn’t enough of a minefield, the world of baby foot conditions can bring up even more questions (and worry) for parents. Do their feet turn in? Or out? Do they have funny-looking toes? Or are you just so sleep-deprived that everything’s starting to look a little hazy?

The truth is, newborn feet are very different from those of older children or adults, and it’s perfectly normal to notice a few quirks. So, what’s considered normal—and when should you seek advice?

18,333 Kilometres Apart, Still Growing Alike

A physiotherapist’s reflection on the universality of childhood movement

When I moved from Wales to New Zealand, I expected a lot to be different—accents, weather, landscapes. But one thing stayed remarkably the same: how children move.

From rolling to crawling, sitting to walking, the movement patterns of children on opposite sides of the world are beautifully alike. Despite cultural differences and climate contrasts, the way a child’s brain and body grow and learn is universal.

This realisation deepened my fascination with child development. Movement, it turns out, is more than physical—it's how the brain builds itself. From a newborn's reflexive grip to a toddler's confident steps, every wiggle, wobble, and stretch is laying down vital brain pathways.

No matter where they are born, children grow with the same astonishing magic. And for those of us lucky enough to witness it every day, it’s a reminder of just how incredible development really is.