Walking is a significant milestone in a child’s development, often celebrated by parents and caregivers alike. Understanding the typical age range for children to begin walking can help alleviate concerns and promote healthy development. Generally, children take their first steps between 12 and 14 months of age, although variations exist.
| Mobility Stage | Child’s Age (Months) |
|---|---|
| Pushing up while lying on the stomach | 3-4 |
| Rolling from front to back or vice versa | 3-6 |
| Sitting without assistance | 4-6 |
| Crawling on the stomach quickly | 6-11 |
| Standing on feet while holding onto something | 6-11 |
| Crawling on hands and knees | 6-13 |
| Walking with assistance from others | 6-14 |
| Walking independently | 8-18 |
A child needs various skills to be able to walk, including balance, coordination, standing, and the ability to support body weight from one leg to another. As the child grows older, the number of skills they learn increases, along with their complexity. It is important to note that crawling and pulling up to stand help build valuable muscle strength and several skills, such as balance and coordination, which are essential for walking and running later on.
Tips to Help a Child Walk
There are several tips for parents to support their child in moving and walking. Here are the most prominent ones:
- Place toys and objects slightly out of reach to encourage the child to exert effort and crawl to reach them.
- Position stable furniture that allows the child to stabilize themselves and use it when trying to stand.
- Avoid using a walker.
- Enroll the child in activity centers designed to promote movement and walking, ensuring that the duration does not exceed half an hour at a time.
- Allow the child to walk and move barefoot initially, while being careful to avoid shoes that may hinder their movement.
References
- When Do Babies Start Walking?”, www.healthline.com, Retrieved 10-5-2019. Edited. ↑ “Learning to walk”, www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au, Retrieved 10-5-2019. Edited. ↑ “First Steps”,
