Most children are able to walk alone by 11-15 months but the rate of development is very variable. Some children will fall outside the expected range and yet still walk normally in the end. Walking is considered to be delayed if it has not been achieved by 18 months.
Most babies begin to take their first steps between 9 and 12 months of age, but some may begin as early as 6 months or as late as 15 months. It is important to note that every baby develops at their own pace and there is a wide range of normal.
Some toddlers may not walk until closer to 18 months. Both are normal. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new developmental guidelines. According to the new guidelines, a toddler should walk unassisted by the end of 18 months.
Most children start walking between 11 and 16 months, but some will wait until 18 months with no need to worry, says Dr. Jean-François Lemay, a developmental pediatrician at the University of Calgary. “The quality of movement is sometimes more important than the child's ability to stand on two feet,” he says.
Most children will take their first steps between nine and twelve months but there is a large variation in milestones and for some children, walking may take a little longer. If at 17 months your child is not yet walking, it is recommended you visit a health professional for an assessment.
If a baby is not walking by 16-23 months, a medical examination should be conducted to check their muscle strength, range of motion, and joint flexibility. Delayed walking could be an initial warning sign for cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or other genetic conditions.
Delayed walking has also been reported in other specific developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Yet both are wrong: Studies show no significant differences between boys and girls when it comes to these motor skills in infancy. Both sexes generally start walking independently after turning 1, often around month 14. Still, some parents believe boys start sooner.
Some babies are curious watchers; others are more active, exploring their environment physically. Babies who have advanced social and engaging skills may be later walkers because they're more interested in watching the world around them and are more cautious in the realm of motor development.
Late walking is when a child has not reached the walking milestone of development at the expected age. This will slow the development and the independence of the child and so it is a problem that needs to be addressed.
Many children start walking around or just after their first birthday, however, if a child is not walking by 18 months old, it is time for a more detailed assessment by a paediatrician. Parents should not panic as everything could still be normal, and it may not be an indication of any underlying health problems.
If you suspect that your baby or toddler has a motor skills delay, here are some signs to watch out for: Does not reach for, grasp, or hold objects by 3 or 4 months old. Does not roll over in either direction by 5 months. Cannot sit up without help by 6 months.
Assisted Walking: Stand behind your child, place your hands around his upper arms, and pull him up to a standing position. Gently pull one arm forward and then the other. His feet will naturally follow as he rotates his hips to step. Keep practicing walking until your baby is ready to stop.
Typically developing infants and toddlers can begin walking anytime between 9-18 months. If your child isn't walking by 14 months, very often they're just starting to walk on the later side of the usual range.
Research suggests that toe walking can be a sign of autism, particularly when it's combined with language delays. In general, toe walking is more common in children with ASD and other neuropsychiatric conditions than in the general population.
What are the early warning signs for autism spectrum disorder? The early warning signs for an ASD include concerns about a child's social skills, communication, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, activities, and emotional regulation.
Their motor development is deviant. For instance they start walking much later than other children. They may have certain cognitive problems. For instance, they might turn a book upside down while looking through it, and they draw less than other children.
Let us put your mind at ease: Research shows that early walkers are not more advanced or intelligent. In fact, by the time young children start school, those who started walking later are just as well-coordinated and intelligent as those who pushed off early.
'" says Dale Ulrich, Ph. D., a professor of movement science at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. If so, or if your child isn't walking by 15 or 16 months, talk to your pediatrician. She'll want to rule out conditions such as poor muscle tone, hip displacement, and cerebral palsy.
Some children don't walk until they are 17 months or 18 months old. Babies who bottom-shuffle tend to walk later than babies who crawl. As long as your baby is able to stand by 12 months and shows an interest in trying to move, you don't have to be concerned.
Most toddlers will walk by 18 months. Some factors may delay this exciting achievement, for example, the use of baby walkers, if your baby is a proficient bottom shuffler, or if your baby has been unwell or in hospital for a prolonged period.