Walking

Since the day your baby came into the world it has been in training for the day when it will take its first steps. They have been developing muscle strength and coordination, and have mastered one amazing feat after another, from just sitting up right un-aided to turning over to crawling. Once they have mastered as these feats they start to attempt to stand and then with a little encouragement take that giant step first with the help of furniture and anything that they can hold and then finally alone. It takes a lot of practice to learn to walk and there will be many falls. But once they have mastered it fully it’s their first step towards real independence.

Its best to bear in mind that all children develop at different rates some are quick some are slower most get there in the end it may be worth mentioning to a health professional if they have missed a developmental milestone. There may be perfectly logical reasons for your child's taking their time. Maybe they are busy working on another developmental task, like talking, or maybe they just likes to take his time whenever they learn a new skill. Keep in mind that toddlers who are heavier or who were born prematurely often learn to walk a little later than others.

Helping your child to walk
As your baby learns to pull themselves up to a standing position, they may need some help figuring out how to get back down again. If they get stuck show them how to bend their knees so he can sit down without toppling over. You can encourage them to walk by standing or kneeling in front of them and holding out your hands. Or you might hold both their hands and walk them toward you. Toddle trucks or push toys that your child can hold on to as they walk are great at this stage. Be aware that there is some research that suggests that baby walkers can slow the development of upper leg muscles but this is in no way proof so if you wish to use a walker the chose is yours.

It is best to wait to introduce shoes we know you want to buy all those tiny gorgeous little shoes but the fact is that it is best to wait until your child ventures outside as going bare footed helps it improve coordination and balance. There will be allot of falling over during this period so try to ensue they have a soft safe space to practice in and that they are not left unattended as once they master the art they can move extremely fast.

For more information on the developmental milestones for walking try http://lavenmedia.co.uk/walkingtips.html