5 Tips to Help Guide a Toddler Learning to Walk

5 Tips to Help Guide a Toddler Learning to Walk

By Margaret Gaia

A toddler learning to walk is one of the most important times in a parent’s life, especially when they are watching their first born child learn to walk for the first time.

The whole process, however, can be a bit confusing for first time parents. What should you do and how will you go about the whole matter? Don’t worry – here are five simple but useful tips to help guide a toddler learning to walk:

Gently push down on your toddler’s feet

One of the first things you need to do is help build strength and balance in your toddler’s legs. You can do this by laying the toddler on his or her back, resting the feet on your palms and gently pushing down on the feet.

The toddler will instinctively resist the force from your hands; building muscle strength and learning how to balance the feet as he or she does so.

Let your toddler practice barefoot

As tempting as it may be, letting your tot wear shoes or any other footwear will obstruct the learning process.

You see, toddlers need to focus on every part of their feet for them to learn how to walk. They have to use individual toes, the sides, the front, the base and the heel of two feet in order to take the first few steps. At this stage, footwear will only complicate the learning process. 

Don’t carry your toddler

If you have a toddler learning to walk for the first time, then leave a wide open space for him or her to walk around on.

Just don’t carry your toddler as he or she walks.

A little assistance is well and good, especially when your child is taking his or her first steps. Doing this too often, though, will make the child insecure without your support; blunting the learning process.  Being near your toddler in case he or she trips and falls is enough support.

Let your toddler walk at his/her own pace

Do not put too much pressure on your toddler once he or she has the hang of walking around.

Many parents get too absorbed and delighted with their children once they start walking – but they fail to realize that a toddler learning to walk is under a great deal of stress. Encouraging the child to walk may seem harmless, but forcing him or her to walk too often will only make the tot feel anxious and insecure.

Play games with your toddler

One way to encourage your tot to walk without forcing him or her to do so is to play games.

Charades, Ring around the Rosie, blowing bubbles for the child to follow even just bouncing on the knees are some fun and enjoyable games you can play with your child. The child will usually stop if he or she feels tired, so don’t feel discouraged if they suddenly don’t want to play with you anymore.

Keep these tips in mind and you’ll have a much easier time when you guide a toddler learning to walk for the first time!