How to Teach Your Child to Walk

At some point between the ages of 10 to 18 months, most babies will begin to walk. The usual order is for the child to crawl first, then progress to holding onto objects for support while standing and walking along. However, every child develops differently, so your baby might take hesitant steps or suddenly stand up and walk, leaving parents amazed. The key is to encourage and practice walking with your child, helping them feel confident and comfortable in this new skill.

Have the baby stand on your lap and jump in your arms. This exercise strengthens the muscles in the child's legs, especially if your baby is still crawling or just beginning to use objects to pull themselves up.

• Show your child how to bend their knees and practice the bending motion to develop their motor skills, enabling them to stand and sit down with ease.

Buy a rocking chair for your baby. When your baby is 5 to 6 months old, place them in a rocking chair to start building leg muscles.

• Avoid using a walker for your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend walkers for young children. Studies have shown that these devices actually slow down motor development and can cause spinal issues in young children. They also pose safety risks, as the walker could tip over or roll down stairs.
• Walkers are banned in Canada, and the AAP is urging the U.S. to adopt similar restrictions to prevent parents from using them for their children.

Use toys to encourage your baby to stand up. Place toys out of your baby's reach or in a position where they must stand to grab them.

Help your baby sit down whenever they stand on their own. Most babies start standing before they learn how to sit down, so don’t worry if your baby cries and seeks help while standing.

• When your baby starts to fuss, instead of picking them up, help them sit down by gently bending their knees and supporting them until they safely reach the floor.

Arrange furniture in a straight line so your baby can walk along it more easily. Your baby will use furniture and surfaces as support to move around. Align the furniture in a stable line, ensuring that all items are child-proof so your little one can practice walking around the house.

• In fact, once your baby begins to rely on something for support, you’ll need to reorganize the house to make sure everything is safe, as the higher they reach, the more potential hazards they may encounter.
• Help your baby stop relying on tables and chairs by extending your hand for them to hold onto. Eventually, your baby will be able to hold on with just one hand or even walk without needing to hold on at all.

Give your baby a push toy. Push toys like a small shopping cart or a toy lawnmower can help your baby practice both balancing and taking those first steps. These toys also aid in teaching your baby how to control movement, improve balance, and boost their confidence while learning to walk.

• If your baby is just starting to stand and take their first steps, begin with toys without wheels. Once you are confident that your baby has enough strength, introduce a push toy with wheels.
• Always check that the toy is stable, with a sturdy handle or grip. Additionally, make sure the wheels are large to reduce the chances of the toy tipping over.

Help your baby stand up. Let your baby hold onto your finger and gently pull them to a standing position. In doing so, your baby is learning to control their own weight. You can support them by holding under their arms as they begin to move around.

• The more time your baby spends strengthening their legs, the sooner they will move into the walking stage.
• Supporting your baby as they stand will help keep their legs straight and prevent future bow-leggedness. Bow-leggedness usually resolves by 18 months, but it can persist until 3 years old.

Praise your baby's efforts. Most babies have an innate desire to please their parents and enjoy receiving praise, clapping, and cheers. So, let your little one know whenever they stand or walk along with support by offering clear words of encouragement and approval.

Don’t buy indoor shoes for your baby. It’s unnecessary to invest in a collection of shoes for your baby; the best footwear for them is their bare feet.

• As long as the indoor surfaces are clean and safe for a walking baby, let your little one practice standing and walking barefoot (or with anti-slip socks if you prefer) as much as possible. This helps develop foot and ankle muscles, promotes foot arch development, and aids in teaching coordination and balance.
• If your baby walks outdoors, ensure their shoes are lightweight and flexible. Avoid boots or high-top sneakers, as they can restrict movement and slow down your baby’s progress.

Don’t force your baby to stand or walk with your help if they’re not ready. Forcing them may cause fear and delay their progress in standing or walking.

• Many babies will walk when they are ready, so don’t be concerned if your baby doesn’t start walking until 18 months, or possibly even later.

Turn balancing into a game. To help your baby get used to balancing on two feet, parents should make it a fun game with lots of encouragement and praise.

• Sit on the floor with your baby and help them stand up. Then, count out loud to see how long they can stay balanced before their knees buckle. Clap and praise after each successful attempt at balancing.

Encourage your baby to walk instead of sit. Place your baby on a flat surface in a standing position rather than sitting them down on their bottom.

Stand on the other side of the room and encourage your baby to walk toward you. This will help give your baby the confidence and motivation to take their first steps.

Make your baby’s first steps a big celebration. The first wobbly steps are a huge milestone for your baby, so make sure to show excitement and cheer them on as they begin walking.

• Cheer on every attempt your baby makes at walking to let them know they’re doing something right and to boost their confidence to keep going.

Expect some stops and starts. Don't worry if your baby's early attempts at walking are interrupted after a fall or an illness. Your child is still developing other skills like learning names or picking up food with their hands, so it may take a few weeks or even months before they get back on track with walking.

• Some babies may feel more comfortable starting with crawling, so they might crawl before mastering walking.

Allow your baby to fall within a safe environment. As babies learn to walk, they might wobble, stumble, or even topple over as they practice their balance. Since young children often lack depth perception, they tend to bump into objects rather than stepping around them.

• As long as your home is childproofed and you supervise your baby at all times, don’t stress over the inevitable falls. Your baby may cry when they fall, but it’s more about the scare than the pain.
• Diapers also act as a cushion for any falls, and babies recover quickly from these small tumbles, often forgetting them faster than adults do. Therefore, try not to make a big deal out of minor falls during this learning phase.

Don’t compare your child’s development to other babies. Every baby is unique, so there’s no need to panic if your child isn’t walking by a certain age. The time it takes for a child to reach significant milestones, like walking, can vary depending on factors such as body weight or even personality. Keep in mind that walking is just a relative milestone, not an absolute requirement for all children.

• Premature babies might take longer to reach developmental milestones compared to full-term babies.
• Sometimes, it’s just a matter of your baby being hesitant to take those first steps without holding your hand. So, it’s important for parents to encourage and support their child without placing unnecessary pressure or stress on them.

Don’t worry if your baby’s feet seem flat. In fact, it’s simply because your baby has soft, chubby feet. Between the ages of 2 and 3, the extra padding on their feet will gradually disappear, and you’ll notice their arches developing.

• Your baby’s feet may also appear to curve inward, forming a half-moon shape—this is a remnant from their newborn stage. Over time, their feet will straighten naturally.

Rest assured that your baby’s inward-turned feet will straighten naturally. Inward-turned feet, also known as 'clubfoot,' are caused by internal twisting of the shin bones, meaning your baby’s tibia is rotated inward.

• This condition typically resolves on its own within six months after your baby starts walking.
• If your baby’s feet remain turned inward after six months, consult a pediatrician about exercises to correct the issue.

Check that your baby’s feet are straight. Some children naturally prefer walking on their tiptoes, which helps them develop a sense of balance. This is generally a harmless phase that will resolve on its own, though in rare cases, it could indicate tightness in the heel or foot muscles.

• If your baby’s feet do not straighten naturally, or if they continue walking on tiptoe past the age of three, inform your pediatrician as it may indicate a developmental issue.

Consult a pediatrician if your child is falling more than usual, has difficulty bending their legs, or keeps tipping to one side. These could be signs of neurological, joint, or spinal issues.

Allow your child to explore as they become more comfortable with walking. As your baby gains confidence and becomes more at ease walking on smooth, flat surfaces, encourage them to try walking on sloped or uneven ground. These new environments will help your child develop a stronger sense of balance.