It is the dream of every parent for their child to walk. Parents are very happy when they see their child’s first steps.
Walking is also a very important event for a child. In fact, it is the first and most important step of independence. The child can reach many places even while crawling, pulling the things he cannot reach and bringing them closer to himself. But with walking, his mobility has increased, he has the chance to reach his desired place and target faster.
In the development process, we expect children to crawl at about 8-10 months and walk at 12-14 months. Sometimes during the development process, some children can move from crawling to walking. We can see that a child who does not crawl in the 8-10 month period gets up and starts walking at the age of 11-12 months. This is one of the most important features of clear development and is not something to worry about.
As there are children who walk early, there are also children who walk late. The maximum expected limit for a child to walk is 15-18 months. If a child who is 18 months old does not stand up at all and does not walk at all when he is stepping, holding on or being held by the hand, it is useful to evaluate it developmentally.
Reasons for children walking late include:
Physical development problem
Mental development problem
Muscle-related diseases
Bone curvature
Vitamin deficiency
In infancy Not giving vitamin D
Overprotective parental attitudes
Holding the child too much
Fear and anxiety development in the child who tries to walk due to falling several times
If it is due to a disease, it is very important to initiate the necessary medical follow-up for this condition.
But if the child’s not walking is related to the parents’ attitudes and the child’s fears, then the parents should develop a correct and healthy attitude, the child should be relieved and his fear and anxiety should be reduced.
For this, parents should:
give up their overprotective attitude
Every time the child gets up and walks, parents should not go near the child with anxiety
They should support the child by holding their hand
In walking trials should encourage the child
Not talk to the child such as “He hasn’t walked yet, when will he walk”
Instead of directing the child like “Don’t be afraid, don’t fall”, he should use motivational words such as “I trust you”
If the child stumbles or falls, “Is it too much?” It hurts” instead of “Hoop, it was a small accident, let’s get your hands on”
The child should understand that falling is as natural as walking
If any part of the child’s body hits the table or coffee table while walking, the parents will say, “Oh, dirty table. you hurt my child’s bond,” he should not react by saying.
