When it comes to the little ones, it takes as much as 10 to 18 months for them to begin to make deliberate attempts to walk. Some kids stumble their way into walking while others use furniture for balance or maybe even a walker. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to teaching your infant how to walk, but there are methods that have been tried and tested.

Here are three ways to teach your little one how to get around:

Cruising

Dr Steve Sanders, a university professor who specialises in early childhood physical development, said, “Infants can practice walking by ‘cruising’.”

“Stand your child next to the sofa and let him hold on with one hand as you hold his other hand for balance. Slowly move back and forth along the furniture and practice walking,” Dr Sanders said about cruising.

Cruising is also vital because it “works the muscles in the hips and thighs”, according to health writer Ashley Marcin.

The practice of cruising not only guarantees safety, since the child will have something strong to hold on to but also independence and can help build your infant’s confidence. If they can learn to move from here to there on their own, they’ll have little to no reason to need help with the balance from you as the parent.

Tips to Help Your Little One On Their Journey

• Remember to keep your child barefooted, since your little one’s feet will get sensory information about the environment around them that way.
• Little ones learn how to walk by repetition, so it’s important to repeat the process until it’s been drilled into your child.

Sources:

1. https://www.primroseschools.com/blog/5-exercises-to-help-your-baby-walk/
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/how-to-teach-baby-to-walk#support
3. https://www.parents.com/baby/development/walking/help-baby-learn-to-walk/