When should my child be walking?
Watching your child learn to sit up, crawl, and say their first words is exciting! Keeping track of what milestones are appropriate for each stage of your child’s development can help you better communicate with your child’s healthcare team and pinpoint any areas of concern that might need to be addressed.
When should my child be walking?
Before learning to walk, children learn other skills that build the foundation for walking. These skills produce balance, strength, and coordination essential for learning to walk. If your child has not conquered one of these foundational skills, it could delay their learning to walk.
- Crawling: at nine months
- Cruising: at 12 months
- Standing freely: at 12 months
- Walking: eight to 18 months
How can I help my child learn to walk?
- Safe spaces: Provide lots of places for your child to explore. Your child might be engaged by different objects in a new room.
- Get involved: Stay close to your child as they learn to walk, provide encouragement, and help your child build confidence. Encourage curiosity in a safe space by hiding toys for your child to find or introducing toys made for rolling or pushing.
- Get help: Contact your child’s pediatrician to discuss your child’s developmental milestones and achievements. Pediatrics Plus offers Physical Therapy services to help your child develop essential movements such as walking.