Simple Strategies to Help Children Start to Walk

When it comes to walking, the time frame is different for every child. Most children begin walking between 10 to 15 months. Second children often walk earlier than firstborns because they model their older siblings. According to the CDC’s Developmental Milestones, children should be taking at least a few steps on their own by 15 months. If your child isn’t walking by 18 months, an early intervention physical therapist can help. Below are a few simple strategies they might suggest.

Find Their Motivation 

Some kids are content being carried everywhere. They may not be developmentally delayed or have a diagnosis. They may just think, “Why walk if I can be carried?” An easy strategy to start changing their mind is to find what motivates them and encourage them to move towards it on their own. This might be a favorite toy or snack. Be sure to reward them for their progress.

Build Trunk and Leg Strength

Before a child can walk, they need trunk control and leg strength. You can help them build this by encouraging movement and independent play. Provide climbing blocks, or supervise them as they climb the stairs. Encourage them to squat for a toy. You can also do baby sit-ups where they're laying flat on the ground and they pull your arm to pull themselves up.

Lower Your Hand

Parents often like to walk with their toddler while holding their hand. This may make the child dependent on their parent’s support rather than learning trunk control and balance. The easiest way to challenge the toddler is for the parent to lower their hand placement. Instead of holding your child’s hand above their head so they’re pulling on you, lower your hand to between their shoulders and hips so their hand is more at their side. The higher the support, the easier it is for the baby. As their balance improves, you can continue to lower your hand placement to their belly, their hips, and all the way down to their thighs as they practice standing balance or walking.

Practice Standing Balance

Babies need to be able to balance while standing before they can walk. To help them gain confidence that they can stand on their own, have them play with a favorite toy while standing so they get distracted enough to let go of the surface they’re holding onto. Support them at their hands or trunk, and lower that support as they get more confident. You can also let them hold onto something unstable like a hula hoop or a pool noodle. They won’t realize the item is more wobbly but their body will learn more as it works harder to stay balanced.

Stepping Between Two Surfaces

This is a great way to help independent little kiddos who don’t want to be attached to mom take their first step. Have them stand between two movable surfaces, such as two kitchen chairs. Put a snack or a toy on one of the surfaces and then move it just enough that the child has to turn and reach to grab the item. Once they’re successful, move the item back to the first surface or replace the snack. As your child gets into pivoting between chairs, sneakily move the chairs apart. Eventually they won’t be able to grab the items without taking a step, and may do so without even noticing.

Early Intervention Can Help

Don't put too much pressure on yourself or your baby. Every child learns to walk at their own pace. Early intervention is here to help if you have any concerns about their progress and can suggest strategies to help them build the strength, balance, and confidence they need. 

The first step to receive early intervention services, including physical therapy, is to request an evaluation. Learn more about the evaluation process and how to get started.