Watching your little one take their first steps is one of the most significant moments parents look out for (alongside their first words), and it’s a moment filled with joy and pride – and often no little surprise from both sides. The journey of mobility is an exciting milestone, not just for toddlers but for parents as well! As your child transitions from crawling to walking, there are various ways to support this crucial phase in their development.
The Wobbles
Part of learning to walk is developing their sense of balance, and little ones who are determined on their mission to walk are going to take a few spills. It can be tempting to rush over to them every time they fall, but unless it’s serious enough, it can be better to make sure their learning space is instead safe for them to learn to fall and pick themselves back up again. Falling is an entirely natural part of walking – sometimes even for those of us who have been doing it a while – and it helps learners build their confidence if they know the occasional tumble is just part of the process. So what does all this mean? Embrace the wobbles! It’s part and parcel of the whole learning-to-walk experience. And the more they practice, the better they get.
Safe Spaces
So, how do we make sure they have a safe space to practice in? Start by toddler-proofing your home. Likely, a lot of this was already done when they started crawling (and wow, do you ever realise just how fast some crawlers can go!), but it never hurts to have a quick double-check. Pick up anything they might trip on, such as their toys, and consider getting soft caps for the corners of any low tables you might have – just in case. Now is also a good time to get stoppers for your electrical outlets, just in case you have the sort of curious tot who likes to put things in to see what will happen. If you have the space, try keeping their (softer) toys in a designated area so they can associate that space with safe exploration.
Encouragement
Encouragement is key. Show your excitement when they achieve something, or even just when they try, even if they’re not immediately successful! Treats make for a great reward, but there’s no reason they have to be unhealthy, sugar-filled treats. Haakaa’s Chilly Monster Ice Pop Mould Set is a wonderful way to create your own nutritious frozen snacks for your little one, and they make fantastic rewards for all the hard work your little one is putting in. The options about what to put in are almost endless – breastmilk and puréed fruits are popular choices – and the adorable monster shape doubles as a teether as well! That’s not the only way to encourage baby, though. As well as coaxing them over to yourself, try placing their favourite toys just out of range – this works for budding crawlers as well as those working up to their first steps. The added bonus to this is not only does it encourage them to move, but it also stretches their problem-solving abilities as they figure out the best way to get to that toy they really want!
Supportive Tools
These are dependent on your surroundings and what you’re willing to have them use, but many parents find supportive tools very helpful. Push toys – wheeled, handled objects designed to cope with a learner’s weight and tendency to bounce – can help them with their balance and stability development. It is, however, crucial that any of these types of tools you use meet safety standards and are appropriate for your child’s age.
Join In
Taking part with your baby goes a LONG way towards helping them out, as they can see for themselves what you are doing and copy it – that’s how babies learn pretty much everything. Having you hold their hands as they toddle around is, believe it or not, a hugely entertaining time for many babies, and the more fun they’re having, the more likely they are to keep trying.
Be Patient
It’s difficult to overemphasise this, but patience is critical. Babies develop at their own pace, and what was true for one child may not be true for another, even between siblings – and this includes the age at which they take their first steps. There’s a reasonably extensive age range during which they may get there, and there’s really no predicting where in that range any given child will fall. If they’re running a little late but otherwise meeting their developmental milestones, they may well just be taking their time, but if you do have concerns, check in with your healthcare professional. They’ll be able to let you know if there’s anything going on or if your child is just operating to their own timetable.
Beyond all of this, the best bit of advice is to just enjoy your time as your baby is learning. This time is over in a flash, so make the most of it! Enjoy every attempt, every stumble, until those confident steps start becoming more regular – and then beyond that, too.