Now that you have soaked in your baby’s first smile (we get it, it’s a unique moment!) and sweet cooing, and now that they have mastered head control, sitting, scooting, crawling, and pulling themselves up to stand, it’s time for them to take the next big step – Walking!
When Do Babies Start Walking?
Babies generally start taking their first steps around 9-12 months of age, but this could happen earlier or later, depending on when your child is ready to do so. Remember that no two babies go through the exact same stage of development. Let your baby take their own time to walk. Meanwhile, some gentle encouragement is recommended!
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What Steps To Take Before Your Baby Starts Walking?
- Babyproof your place.
- Don’t leave toys and other things unattended on the floor.
- Clear the items that could present tripping hazards.
- Move fragile items like decorations etc., to a safer, a.k.a. higher place.
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How To Encourage Your Baby To Walk
Ready for some first wobbly steps and then walking? Here is how you can support your little one:
Stool Exercise
If your baby can sit without help, make them sit on a baby-sized stool. Make sure that their feet are touching the floor so they can push against it with their knees and hips at a 90-degree angle. Place a toy near a stool, ask your baby to reach and pick up a toy and then sit back on the stool. You can move the toy around to increase reach and strengthen different muscles.
This activity will help your baby to position their feet directly under the body to support their weight.
Cruising
Make your child stand next to a piece of furniture, like a sofa, and let them hold on with one hand as you hold their other hand for balance. Practise walking along with the sofa, back and forth. Slowly, let go of your hand and allow your child to practice doing the same on their own. Simultaneously, you can place your little one’s favourite toy on one end of the furniture piece and encourage them to walk towards it.
This activity will help your baby to walk using support as they take a step towards learning to walk independently.
Push and Pull Toys
Children are fascinated by toys, so why not motivate them to walk around the house using one? Provide your baby with push or pull toys that can help them to stand and walk. This will also build their confidence, and you will see a rise in their ability to walk. The Intellibaby Pull Along Elephant will motivate your child to walk around and explore their surroundings. Bring home endless exploration opportunities for your little one with the adorable Pull Along Elephant!
Natural Walking
Make your child stand by pulling them up, supporting their upper arms. Now gently pull one arm forward and then the other. Watch their feet follow naturally as they rotate their hips to take a step. You can keep practising this with your baby until they are ready to stop.
This activity will help your baby to walk as your pull their arm forward, and they will take a step.
Barefoot Walk
It may sound weird, but you must let your little one walk barefoot because the feet can grip the surface far more easily when left bare, thus improving their balance and coordination. If the baby is walking with shoes on, the shoes might attract the baby, and they may lose their concentration. Whereas the ground under the bare feet helps your child to walk without looking down.
This activity will help your baby to develop the muscles in their feet and ankles and walk easily.
Babies love to imitate. Try doing these activities with them to encourage them to imitate you and walk. You can repeat these activities several times a day as repetition helps to improve their balance, and then you’ll see your baby walking independently around your house!
