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Babies' motor development steps are remarkable. While at first they move awkwardly and can barely lift their heads, soon they are crawling all over the house. The first steps in particular are an important milestone in your baby's development. But while you wait impatiently, your child has its own individual pace. Since learning to walk is a maturation process, it cannot be forced or accelerated: parents have to wait, because the first steps only come when your little sunshine is ready. However, if you want to gently support your little one in their development, we have tips in this article with which you can encourage learning to walk in a playful way.
At what age should a child be able to walk?
Especially with the first child, new parents can hardly wait to celebrate the first milestones. They wait impatiently for the first turn, crawling and sitting, and especially for the first steps. If the child initially shows no interest in walking upright, many parents compare and wonder why it takes so long. But every baby and child is different and that's a good thing! The fact is: As a rule, most worries about learning to walk are unfounded. While some early bloomers are happily toddling around at 8 months, for others it can take up to 18 months. However, if your baby shows no signs of sitting up after a year, it is a good idea to ask your pediatrician. In general, however, you can wait and give your child the ideal conditions to learn to walk. We will explain to you how you can support your baby in this important developmental step without forcing it.
Assist in pulling up
Before your baby can take its first step, it must first stand. To do this, it will first pull itself up using all kinds of furniture and objects. The sofa, the living room table, and even familiar people are particularly popular. You can ensure that your child is successful. With socks, for example, the baby can easily slip and land on its knees again. Non-slip shoes like our vegan shoes ensure that the feet have a good grip so that the child can pull itself up with its hands. Sturdy boxes, stools, and baby walkers also help little ones to hold on and practice balance. Parents should definitely avoid baby walkers in which the child sits. These are dangerous and teach the baby incorrect movement sequences.
Support when standing
If pulling themselves up is already going well, babies try to reach objects while standing or move forward by holding on to something. You can provide your little one with objects that can be pushed or rolled around. This way, they can slowly practice moving forward while standing with support. Sturdy doll's prams, walkers with wheels and baskets are great for assisted learning to walk.
First free walking attempts supported
The baby stands safely when it holds on and also takes a few steps holding your hand, using a walker or against the wall. Now you can encourage it to slowly let go and try out its balance. Depending on what your child likes, you can be inventive. For example, if the baby wants to reach an object, don't just push it into its hand, but hold the toy a little further away. This way it will let go of one hand to reach for it and may take a step or two in that direction before falling on its bottom. You can also sit in front of your child and stretch out your arms so that it tries to run towards you. This way children slowly become braver and may even try out their first steps without help.
Provide space to practice
Freedom of movement is extremely important for babies and toddlers. Babies who spend a lot of time in playpens do not have the opportunity to take many steps. Existing padding also makes it difficult for them to stand and maintain their balance. Especially outside in the garden, in the park or on the playground, your little one will be particularly motivated to run and explore the world. Spend as much time outside as possible and let your little one out of the stroller regularly when you are in a safe place. This way, he or she will see other children playing and running and will also have the urge to move forward and stand on his or her feet. Here, too, the right footwear is essential. Fashionable sneakers may look cool. However, the hard soles hinder balance and inhibit motor skills. Instead, choose shoes with a soft sole like our first walker shoes . These fit perfectly on the feet, help with the first steps and at the same time protect against mistletoe and sharp stones.
Praise and encourage
Regardless of whether you are doing playful walking exercises with your little one or letting him try things out for himself, the best way to motivate your baby is to encourage and praise him when he tries to walk. Even very small children notice this positive attention and are happy about their achievement. If your baby manages to take a step with the walker before he falls to the floor, encourage him and show him that you have seen his success. This gives your little one an incentive to try this movement again straight away.
Support from the right baby shoes
The right footwear is not only extremely important for us adults, babies and children also need appropriate shoes for balancing and learning to walk. When you should get your little one their first pair depends on the baby's development, but also on the season and your circumstances. In summer, the child can be barefoot in the garden. Outside in the park and on colder days, it is better to wear shoes so that they don't step on bees or thorns and their feet don't get so cold. Slippers can also reduce the risk of slipping inside the house and give the baby better grip.
Our vegan and sustainable shoes are the perfect companions when learning to walk and discovering the world. The soft sole and supple fabric mean that the foot is completely free, but still protected. They are completely non-slip and support the development of babies and toddlers when learning to crawl and walk. At the same time, they are very breathable so that the feet do not get too warm. In our Cosy Roots online shop you will find the handmade shoes in many wonderful designs.
Be attentive to the needs of children
When babies learn to walk, it is an enormous achievement for them. The muscles are trained and the first steps require a lot of effort and concentration. Many children are so busy with this that other skills temporarily pause in their development. Therefore, you should never force your little one to do anything and should pay attention to their needs. Always remember that every child develops at a different pace and do not let the progress of others stress you out. You can practice with your baby in a playful way and make sure they have the right conditions and shoes, but in the end, it is up to them to decide when they take their first steps. So sit back and let your little sunshine discover the world in peace: when babies learn to walk is completely up to them!
