Discovering the art of walking is a major achievement for infants and their caregivers. It opens up a whole new world of exploration for your baby. Always provide a solid surface like the floor or carpet for your baby to practice on. Remember, each baby develops at their own pace and is unique.
It’s important to create a safe environment for your baby to practice walking. Remove any hazards or obstacles that could cause trips or falls. Encourage your baby with positive reinforcement and celebrate their milestones along the way.
Some babies may skip crawling altogether and go straight to walking, while others may take a more gradual approach. Whether your baby starts walking at 9 months or 15 months, it’s all within the range of normal development.
Support your baby’s walking development by providing plenty of opportunities for them to practice, such as holding onto furniture or your hands for support. And don’t forget to enjoy this special time as you witness your baby’s first steps into a whole new world!
Ready to Walk Signs
Your baby might begin to show signs that they are ready to take their first steps soon.
Barefoot Benefits
Avoid putting shoes on your baby while they are learning to walk. Walking barefoot can help them improve stability and balance. If needed, consider using soft sole shoes to protect their feet.
Cruising
Cruising is when a baby moves around using support. Encourage this behavior by providing stable objects or furniture for them to hold onto, and engage them with toys.
It is important to create a safe environment for the baby to practice cruising. Make sure there are no sharp corners or dangerous objects within reach. Supervise the baby closely while they are exploring and cruising to prevent accidents.
Independence in Walking
Encourage your baby to move between furniture by enticing them with toys to reach for. Slowly increase the distance between pieces of furniture to help boost their confidence.
As your baby gains more confidence in walking independently, you can start practicing walking outside on flat surfaces like grass or pavement. Make sure to always supervise them and hold their hand for support if needed.
It’s important to create a safe environment for your baby to explore and practice their walking skills. Clear any obstacles or hazards from their path and provide plenty of opportunities for them to practice and improve their balance.
Push and Pull Toys
While push and pull toys don’t directly teach babies to walk, they can aid in muscle control and balance development. Use them sparingly.
Benefits of Push and Pull Toys
- Improving muscle control
- Practicing balance
- Enhancing spacial awareness
- Engaging in imaginative play
Engaging with Push Trolley or Pram
Encourage your baby to collect and play with toys or items to help improve their balance.
Created for the use of healthcare professionals, this resource is written by UK doctors based on research and guidelines.
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Push and pull toys are not only fun for babies, but they also have numerous developmental benefits. These toys help improve muscle control as babies learn to push or pull them along. Additionally, they aid in practicing balance, as babies need to coordinate their movements to keep the toy steady. Engaging with push trolleys or prams can also enhance spatial awareness, as babies navigate their environment while playing with these toys. Furthermore, push and pull toys encourage imaginative play, allowing babies to explore their creativity and pretend play scenarios.
Developmental Screening
Health visitors typically conduct most screenings. Doctors not directly involved should still possess knowledge of normal child development.
Gross Motor Development
This guide focuses on the gross motor development of children during the first three years of life.
Delayed Motor Milestones
Multiple factors can contribute to delayed motor milestones in children.
Assessment of Children
Key questions to consider when assessing children for walking delays include determining whether the delay is isolated or part of a broader developmental delay, checking for abnormal neurological findings, and identifying any potential causes.
History
Various essential questions about a child with suspected developmental delays can usually be found in the child’s personal health record, known as the ‘red book’.
- Were there any complications during pregnancy?
- Was the child born full-term?
- Did the child feed well initially?
- Was there severe jaundice?
Past medical history
- Has the child experienced serious illnesses like meningitis?
- Are there concerns about other areas of development such as sitting, fine motor skills, or speech?
Family history
- When did the parents start walking?
- Are there any significant inherited conditions in the family?
Examination
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends the use of the General Movement Assessment (GMA) for children at risk of cerebral palsy between 0 and 3 months.
Observations should include delayed milestones, persistent toe walking, or increased muscle tone.
Investigations
Although a full developmental assessment can be comprehensive and time-consuming, basic tests by a GP can help identify issues.
If a walking delay is isolated, a creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) level test is recommended to rule out muscular dystrophy.
Children at risk of cerebral palsy should be promptly referred for assessment if they exhibit abnormal features.
Taking the first steps is a significant milestone in a child’s development, typically occurring between 10 and 18 months of age.
Prior to walking, babies engage in activities like crawling and pulling themselves up to stand, which help build essential skills such as balance and coordination.
How does my baby develop walking skills?
For a baby to start walking, they need to develop skills like balance, coordination, and the ability to shift their body weight.
Support your baby’s walking efforts by providing them space and praising their progress.
What can I do to help my baby learn to walk?
Assist your baby in learning how to walk by offering encouragement, support, and ensuring a safe environment.
Play together
Supervising your child as they explore can boost their confidence and allow them to take risks, fostering independent walking.
Encourage independent walking
Engaging in active movements helps build muscle strength and posture. Encourage walking by setting up obstacle courses or using toys for support.
Make your home safe
To prevent accidents, keep your child’s play area clear. Avoid using baby walkers as they may hinder walking development and pose injury risks.
Provide support as needed
Be there to assist and guide your baby as they learn to walk. Holding their hands or offering a stable object to hold onto can help build their confidence.
Celebrate milestones
Encourage and celebrate each small achievement your baby makes towards walking. Positive reinforcement will motivate them to continue practicing.
When should my baby start wearing shoes?
Indoors, let your baby walk barefoot to encourage foot development. Choose well-fitting shoes for outdoor use to prevent foot problems.
It is recommended to start having your baby wear shoes once they are starting to walk outdoors regularly. This usually happens around the age of 1 year old. Make sure to choose shoes that are flexible, have room for the toes to move, and have a non-slip sole to provide stability.
When should I seek help?
If your baby has not started walking by 18 months or if you have concerns about their development, seek advice from healthcare professionals.
Resources and support
For more information on your baby’s development, visit official websites or contact Parentline for guidance and assistance.
- Phone: (02) 6287 3833, Mon-Fri, 9am – 5pm AEST / Sat, 10am – 12 midday
- Phone: 1300 1300 52, Mon-Fri, 9am – 9pm / weekends, 4pm – 9pm
- Phone: 1300 30 1300, 7 days, 8am – 10pm
- Phone: 1300 364 100, 7 days, 7:15am – 9:15pm
- Phone: 1300 808 178, 24 hours, 7 days
- Phone: 13 22 89, 7 days, 8am – 12 midnight
- Phone: (08) 9368 9368 or 1800 111 546, open 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm
Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?
The Aboriginal Child, Youth and Family Strategy provides tips, information, and contacts for parents of young children, including safety measures for teaching babies to walk.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Contact Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak with a maternal child health nurse at 1800 882 436 or via video call. Services available from 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) can lead to various challenges, some noticeable early on and others as the child grows.
Problems in infants
Delays in reaching developmental milestones can be indicative of DCD in young children, such as delays in rolling over, sitting, crawling, or walking.
You may notice:
- Unusual body positions in the first year
- Difficulties with toys that require coordination
- Trouble learning to use cutlery
These signs may appear intermittently.
In addition to the physical delays mentioned above, infants with DCD may also struggle with feeding difficulties, sensory processing challenges, and difficulties with speech and language development. It is important to seek early intervention and support from healthcare professionals if you have concerns about your child’s development.
Problems in older children
As children age, physical difficulties and other challenges associated with DCD may become more prominent.
Movement and co-ordination problems
Primary symptoms of DCD include movement and coordination challenges.
Difficulties may include:
- Participation in activities like hopping or running
- Climbing stairs
- Writing or drawing
- Dressing or tying shoelaces
- Sitting still
Clumsiness is not always indicative of DCD, as many children may appear clumsy but have age-appropriate motor skills. Some children may also experience reduced fitness due to poor performance in sports.
Additional problems
In addition to movement issues, children with DCD may face challenges in areas such as concentration, following instructions, organizational skills, skill acquisition, social interactions, behavior, and self-esteem.
Related conditions
Children with DCD may also have conditions like:
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Dyslexia
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
Some children with DCD may struggle with speech coordination.