Ways to Play

Walking.

Expected Age Range: 11-15 months, or so. Average age is12 months.

These activities are organized in order of skill acquisition, from beginner to advanced walker.

Walk to Me!

When your baby pulls up to stand at you, grab onto their hands and then quickly release your grasp and back up. Hold your arms out and ask them to “come here!” 

But you didn’t need me to tell you that. This is probably the most natural way that parents attempt to get first steps to happen. And they are on the right track. 

Another variation involves two adults. One places the baby down in standing, and the other holds their arms out and asks the baby to “come here!” Everyone does it for a reason. It works! 

Start With Your Baby’s Back Supported Against The Couch

Stand your baby with their back against the couch. Scoot back a little, hold your arms out, and say “come here!”

For some babies, having the supportive surface at their back, helps them feel more secure and confident leaning forward to take some steps. It may not happen on the first try, but keep at it!

Squat to Pick Up a Toy From Knee Height and Return to Standing

After babies start walking, you’ll notice them squat down and pick up a toy, return to standing and continue walking, all without sitting on the floor. But it takes practice. 

If your baby just started walking, try placing a toy on a knee height stool or box. Since the toy is elevated, it will be a little easier for your baby to pick it up and return to standing. That’s because they only have to do a mini-squat to get the toy. It’s just like when they were practicing getting down from standing at the couch. 

Any time spent playing in a squatting position will help your baby develop the strength for this skill. 

Advanced Walking Skills

Obstruct Your Baby’s View of Their Feet

One advantage of walking is that your baby can carry things around. Carrying around large items, such as a big stuffed animal, can obstruct your baby’s view of their feet. This makes walking more challenging because they can’t rely on visual feedback of their feet. And that’s a good thing for developing more advanced balance skills. 

Walking Around Obstacles

Leave some toys on the floor, it gives your baby an opportunity to practice negotiating obstacles as they are learning to walk. You can also encourage them to follow you as you walk a circle around something like a chair.

Walking on Uneven Surfaces

Introduce your baby to to uneven surfaces like grass, gravel or sand, and inclines and declines like hills and ramps. Negotiating and navigating these types of terrains will challenge their balance in new ways, and improve their strength.