Your challenge: Your baby is ready to move and groove—if only they could get those pesky feet to stay beneath them. Life is about to get much more exciting. (After checking all that baby-proofing off your list, that is.) First, though, you want to help encourage your little one's coordination and confidence.
The solution: They will be off and running soon enough. In the meantime, what you view as training sessions, they can just see as a fun time with activities + experiences that encourage putting one foot in front of the last.
Pulling to stand: Pulling to stand not only means it's time to lower the crib, but also that your baby is getting ready to push off and walk soon enough. Make standing play fun in the meantime by getting down on baby's level for a table-side puppet show or some supervised play with a water table.
Encouraging movement: Some little ones are born wanting to kick their feet every chance they get. Help meet their need for movement both by giving them the tools (like a play walker) and motivation (like eye-catching signs at stand eye-level on the wall) to pull themselves up and motor around.
Playing in a safe space: Part of learning to walk is learning how to recover from falls. By creating a safe place for baby to practice those steps, it can be a more enjoyable experience for both of you—and when you don't react to their tumbles in fear, they likely won't either.
Walking on the go: Chances are the surface of your living room floor is much smoother than those your child will encounter when running around outside. Prepare them for the running, jumping and hiking to come by holding their hands as they practice walking in the backyard or park.
Pro tip: Harness a shelf to the wall and then place some of baby's favorite toys on the low levels to encourage pulling themselves up.
You've got this.
Motherly provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. This site does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Return to Go2Guide: Pre-Walking Baby