Puts Shoes on the Wrong Feet Every Day: Understanding Space

If your child puts their shoes on the wrong feet every single day, it's not only a matter of not knowing left from right yet. Slipping a foot into a shoe may look simple, but in that moment your child is processing several pieces of information at once.

They need to check the front and back and the left and right of the shoe, notice where their own foot is, and put their foot in to match the shoe's direction. That's why wearing shoes on the wrong feet every day is a chance to look at how your child understands their own body and the space around them.

Do you see it in other situations too?

• Do they often mix up the front and back of their clothes?
• Do they have trouble pointing to their own body parts?
• Do they struggle when they need to turn an object around to use it?
• Is it hard for them to sense and adjust their body position on stairs or in tight spaces?

Give cues they can see

To start, put a small sticker inside each shoe and suggest, "Can you make the two stickers meet?" Rather than putting their shoes on for them every time, leave room for your child to check the direction and match it on their own. Even a small daily habit like putting on shoes is a great window into development.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-07 This article is for general information only. Your child's developmental status and treatment plan are determined through consultation and assessment.