to not know whether barefoot or structured shoes are best for young children?

[PickledLily]

The whole barefoot thing makes sense to me but then I got admonished by a 'traditional' shoe fitter for considering an unstructured shoe for our toddler. Doesn't a structured shoe, rather than 'support the foot', just mould the foot to the shoe and restrict foot movement? Or have I believed the hype

We have a history of wonky feet/knees/hips etc in our family, so I'm keen we don't make things worse.

Is barefoot just a fad? Any podiatrists out there that settle the debate?

Interesting to see this thread up today -- dd (23) months has just moved into the toddler room at nursery, and suddenly they're demanding footwear indoors, "for health and safety reasons, like if someone treads on her foot." Unfortunately the only shoes she's got are Clarks, where we got browbeaten into buying rigid-soled ones, and I really don't want her in those all day. Can anyone recommend really thin-soled indoor shoes that won't cause her feet to clench?