LoveCorgis,
Are you using toeclips with straps, or strapless?

After decades of using toeclips (including briefly toeclips with cleats), I finally changed to clipless, with almost no problems (biggest problem was loosing traction and forward momentum on my driveway). The primary reason to change from toe clips to clipless was pressure points on the feet from long rides (cage pedals), and feet tilting outward. The cleats just hold my feet more secure.

The use of toeclips means that you already have learned to anticipate stopping.

I'm now using SPD, and really like them.

The cleats (not as much pedals) come in two varieties. Standard, and "multi-release".

I agree with others, setting the pedals to minimum pressure should help with learning. But, the multirelease cleats are supposed to be even easier to extract one's feet out of.