At what age do children typically begin walking?

Mar 18, 2021 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Liyan
Introduction
In general, most children can stand steadily around 10 months of age, and the majority are able to walk steadily by their first birthday. Walking steadily anywhere between 11 and 14 months is considered within the normal developmental range. However, if your child is approximately one year old and you feel they are still unsteady while walking, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider for a motor development assessment.

Under typical circumstances, most children can stand steadily around 10 months of age, and the majority are able to walk confidently by their first birthday. However, we encourage parents not to become overly anxious if their child does not achieve a specific developmental milestone within a particular month. To illustrate this point, please refer to the table below.

This table outlines the gross motor skills that children typically acquire at different ages. As shown, walking steadily is generally achieved between 11 and 14 months of age. Children who attain this milestone anywhere within this timeframe are considered developmentally normal. If your child is approximately one year old and still appears unsteady while walking, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider for a formal motor assessment. Such an evaluation can help determine whether the child has generalized muscle weakness or specific deficits in certain muscle groups.

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Alternatively, the assessment may reveal gait abnormalities. A physician can then provide individualized recommendations tailored specifically to your child’s needs, guiding you on how best to support your child’s progress toward achieving stable, confident walking.