Walking

Most kiddos are learning or trying to take their first steps around 1 year of age.  But there is a huge range of “normal” for when kids learn to walk.  Some kids will walk as early as 8 months of age and others will not take their first steps until 18 months or older.  I don’t get worried about a kiddo not walking until after 18 months of age.  And, even then, I’ll wait a bit longer before sending them to a developmental specialist or physical therapist if all their muscles are otherwise working well and all the other milestones (verbal, fine motor, social) are being met or exceeded.

Also, kids usually learn to walk when they just forget that they can’t walk.  So, focusing a lot of time, energy, and attention on walking or “teaching” a kiddo to walk can sometimes actually delay the process.  As parents your main job is to make sure your home is safe for your kiddo to pull up to stand and for them to navigate as a newly walking kiddo.  I.e., no cords hanging around to pull on, heavy furniture is strapped to the wall, access to stairs is blocked, things with water are out of reach, fireplaces are screened and turned off, windows are closed and furniture is not close enough to climb and push on screens..., etc.