If your baby is quick to take their first steps, it's probably a great source of pride for you. But it may also predict more parental pride farther down the road. Some studies suggest that babies who walk earlier than expected may have superior memory, attention, and social skills as children than babies who hit this gross motor milestone later.
Typically, babies take their first steps between 12 and 15 months. By 18 months, 75% of infants are walking independently. Some babies, however, walk as early as 8 months. In research that looks at large groups of babies, those who are toddling by around 10 months are categorized as early walkers.
How—and why—do these precocious explorers fare better as they grow? And are there any dangers to a baby walking too early? Here is what you need to know about early walkers, and important guidance about not rushing the process.
A Week-by-Week Guide to Your Baby's First Year Milestones
What Are the Benefits Early Walking?
Coordination is connected to other developing skills, and babies who are late bloomers in one area may have challenges in another. Infants who take their first steps after 18 months may be at higher risk for delays in fine motor skills, balance, attention, and visual perception when they reach school age. It's sometimes (but not always) the case that these children may need extra support as they grow.
Research also supports the corollary idea: That babies who are quick to develop gross motor skills may have above-average abilities in some other areas later in life. A study of 599 children in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that babies who stand and walk on the early side have higher cognitive test scores at age 4.
"Our findings are consistent with those of longitudinal studies performed a few decades ago, showing that the age a child achieved major milestones of standing or walking were predictors of later child performance in memory," says Akhgar Ghassabian, MD, PhD., a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and lead author of the study.
Other research suggests that early walkers learn language more quickly. Scientists observe that communication between babies and parents—everything from pointing to talking—is enhanced once a child begins to walk. In capturing their parents' interest with their newfound ability, babies generate positive attention that seems to accelerate their verbal development.
11 Fun Learning Activities for 1-Year-Olds
Are There Dangers of Walking Too Early?
Some doctors say that early walking may predispose a child to Blount's Disease, a condition in which the legs are bowed outwards. Indeed, walking before 12 months is an independent risk factor for Blount's Disease. However, the exact cause of this condition remains unknown, and doctors aren't likely to worry about an early walker unless they start showing signs of leg bowing.
Moreover, early walking may strengthen bones. Research shows that early walkers tend to develop a hip shape that reduces their risk for fractures later in life.
What can be detrimental to your baby's health is rushing your baby toward walking—or any milestone. After a rash of injury reports, the AAP called for a ban on baby walkers that some parents use to help nudge a child toward their first steps faster. If you are concerned that your child is walking too early or too late, talk to your doctor before intervening. They are trained to identify whether your child is hitting their milestones at a pace that makes sense for them and will give you smart guidance for nurturing safe, healthy movement.
How to Encourage Motor Development in Infants
Discussion about this post