At what age do children typically begin walking?

The development of gross motor skills in infants follows a well-established sequence: lifting the head at 2 months, rolling over at 4 months, sitting independently at 6 months, rolling more deliberately at 7 months, crawling at 8 months, and walking independently by 12 months (1 year).

Typically, by 10–11 months of age, infants can stand briefly without support and take several steps while holding onto a chair or push toy. By age 1 year, most children walk independently and can bend down to pick up objects.

After 15 months, children generally walk confidently, squat to play, and stack a single cube. By 18 months, they can climb stairs. By age 2 years, they can jump with both feet simultaneously.

In general, if a child has not begun walking by 18 months, walks unsteadily with an abnormal gait (e.g., wobbling), or exhibits unusual postures, prompt evaluation by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon is essential to rule out developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Additionally, referral to a pediatric developmental-behavioral specialist or child health clinic is recommended to assess for global gross motor delay or conditions such as cerebral palsy.