How to Help: Walking

As a pediatric physical therapist, helping babies learn how to walk is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Watching a baby take their first steps is a special moment for both parents and therapists alike. If you’re a parent who’s eager to help their baby learn to walk, I’m here to provide you with some helpful tips.

1. Encourage crawling: Crawling is an important precursor to walking. It helps your baby develop the necessary strength, coordination, and balance needed to take their first steps. So, encourage your baby to crawl by creating a safe and stimulating environment that motivates them to move around. You can also use toys and objects to create obstacles for them to crawl over and around.

2. Engage in Active Play: Providing an opportunity for active play with your baby encourages the development of muscle strength, coordination and balance leading to walking. You can help encourage movements by doing exercises such as tummy time, sitting and standing, and walking with your baby holding your hands (just remember to keep your hands at their shoulder height, not above their head).

3. Use Push Toys: Once your baby becomes confident in standing you can provide a walking aid or push toy. Toys like baby strollers or push walkers that have wheels will help them maintain balance and stability by walking with support. They can hold onto the handle and take steps behind the walker, with balance coming from grip strength.

 *This is not a "baby walker" that they sit in and walk inside of. Those are not considered safe or developmentally appropriate.

4. Praise and Encourage: Praising and encouraging your baby along the way is crucial. Celebrate the small steps and progress your baby makes such as pulling up to standing, holding onto objects while standing, and taking a couple of steps. Make this a fun and exciting experience for both you and your baby. Use clapping, cheering, high-fives and your baby’s favorite toy to provide motivation for walking.

5. Be Patient: All babies develop at different rates, and it’s essential to be patient with the process. Some babies learn to walk earlier than others, and that’s okay. It’s important to allow your baby to develop at their pace and not become discouraged if it takes longer than other babies.

 If your baby isn't showing signs of walking by 15 months, then we should talk about ways that I can help you help them to take those first steps!

To get my FREE book, "Walking: A Step by Step Guide," simply click here.