As a new parent, you look forward to the major milestones in your child’s early development. These may include her first smile and first words. Another of these memorable moments is when your baby takes his first steps. However, this doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re a first-time parent, understanding typical development will help you identify when your child might not be meeting expected milestones so you can reach out for pediatric physical therapy sooner than later. Here’s a guide to how you can encourage your child to start walking and what to expect.

How to Help Your Child Prepare to Start Walking

Preparing to walk begins early in a child’s development. First, a child need to learn how to crawl. To get them comfortable with the crawling position, do 15 to 20 minutes of tummy time every day. Once your child is comfortable with that, you can start encouraging her to move forward by enticing them with favorite toys. 

After learning to crawl, a child will then begin to pull up into standing while supported. This helps your child get used to the sensation of standing and learn to balance on his feet. Once feeling comfortable, your child will start trying to move side to side (also known as cruising). This teaches a child to balance on her feet without needing hand support. As confidence to stand and move without hands on a surface develops, you can start to encourage your child to take a few unsupported steps towards you. With practice, a few steps turns into a walking child! 

Why Proper Walking Development Is Crucial

Walking is a skill your child will use every day for the rest of their life. Learning how to walk properly and at the right speed is a crucial component in daily routines, such as walking school hallways, at the grocery store, and other community environments. The average age a child begins to walk is around 12 months. Some may start as early as 12 months, and some as late as 18 months. If your child still hasn’t started walking after that time, a pediatric physical therapist can evaluate your child to determine if intervention is necessary. 

If you want to enroll your child in pediatric physical therapy, visit All for Kids Pediatric Therapy Clinic. Located in Anchorage, AK, they have nearly 15 years of experience helping children develop the mobile skills they need to thrive. In addition to physical therapy, All For Kids also offers speech therapy and sensory integration therapy. View a developmental checklist for children on their website or call (907) 345-0050 to schedule an evaluation.