Babies and toddlers go through significant development to progress from standing unaided to become an energetic pre-schooler running and safely navigating space. Keep reading to find out how the skills for walking and running emerge (and at approximately what age), and the games you could play to encourage skill development.

Building blocks for walking and running

Babies learn to bear weight on their feet and cruise along furniture gaining in stability.

Simple walking and running

Walking pattern becomes more mature alongside a growing ability to navigate safely through their environment

Advanced walking and running

A mature cross lateral running pattern should be present – arms and legs on opposite sides are working together

Preschoolers

  • Run on the whole foot, avoiding obstacles. This progresses to running on the toes

  • Run and stop and start easily

  • Walk upstairs, two feet to a step, holding the handrail. This progresses to using alternative feet holding a handrail, and then eventually not holding the handrail

  • Walk forwards, backwards and sideways – left and right

  • Stand, walk and run on tip toe

  • A mature cross lateral running pattern should be present – arms and legs on opposite sides are working together

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  • Marching cross-laterally – arms swinging, knees lifting.

Activities

See what activities can help to support this core skill.

See Activities