Surely you have taken your kids to the mall to play on those soft play grounds. You’ve seen the signs out front.
No food
No drinks
No shoes
Socks Required!
Why? I assure you that my children’s feet are among the cleanest parts of their bodies. Are we worried about preschool athlete’s foot? According to the Wikipedia, up to 15% of the population may have athletes foot. The bacteria that cause athletes foot live in moist environments. Ok. But if the soft play structures are “moist” its because some other fluid leaked directly out of a kid, one way or another. And I would be more worried about that fluid than I would be about the fact that it now created a moist environment that could harbor athletes foot bacteria. Plus, having bare feet gives the kids better traction and reduces the injuries on the play equipment.
Geetle is old enough to read these picto-signs and knew that it said she must wear socks. Having come to the mall in her crocs, she was worried that she could not join Pookie, who had worn more sensible shoes. I told her it was OK. She was then worried that she would get in trouble. I have not begun to explain the whole “when its OK to break some rules” thing yet, so I just said “its OK’ and pushed her through the gate.
This whole “Socks Required” thing is just a ploy to get us to buy a $5 pair of socks from the children’s apparel store that just HAPPENS to be located right next to the play area, I think.
But, once again, I am here on the Internet just trying to eductate myself. So if you know what the big deal is, why they need to wear socks, please let me know.
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moonablaze said,
May 13, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
well, when I taught at the play class branch of a certain company which also makes durable children’s clothing, we required socks. Unlike the place you mentioned, we required the ADULTS to wear them and encouraged children to go barefoot (many parents insisted that the children should wear socks despite the slipping risk). Our reasoning was that adults go to the gym and get athlete’s foot, children under five generally don’t. and given that we had babies around Giggles’ age squirming on the mats, we didn’t think parent’s would appreciate having their babies get athletes foot on their chubby little faces!
also, we had clean socks available to loan out.
Beagoodmom said,
May 14, 2008 @ 7:17 pm
Now that makes sense. That’s logical. But I don’t know why they insist on socks at a place where only kids go. But I learned something, thanks, the internet is a wonderful place.