My Child Isn't Walking Yet: Understanding Delayed Walking

One of the most common reasons toddlers come to physiotherapy is for delayed walking. I often hear parents wonder:

"My child isn't walking yet. Should I be worried?"

Walking is a milestone that many parents eagerly anticipate. However, concerns about development often start to come up if a child is not pulling to stand around 12 months old or not walking by 15 months. Often, there is added pressure for children to be walking independently prior to starting daycare.

While many children take their first steps around 12 months of age, the normal range is actually quite broad, extending from approximately 9 to 18 months. Rather than focusing on age alone, paediatric physiotherapists look at the child’s overall movement development, including strength, balance, alignment, coordination, and trunk symmetry.

Walking is a very complex motor skill. Throughout my career, there have been several common reasons for delayed walking that I have seen repeatedly.

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Reasons Why Walking Might Be Delayed

1. Limited Tummy Time and Core Development

Walking begins long before a child ever stands up.

Tummy time helps babies develop the strength and stability needed for later gross motor skills. Through tummy time, babies strengthen their neck, shoulders, trunk, and hips while learning to move against gravity.

Children who spend less time on their tummy sometimes take longer to develop the core stability needed for crawling, pulling to stand, cruising, and eventually walking.

2. Asymmetry Within the Body

Sometimes children develop a preference for one side of their body.

This may be related to torticollis, positional preferences during infancy, underlying tightness in the trunk, or movement habits that develop over time.

When one side of the body is doing more of the work, it can make it harder to develop balanced strength and coordination for walking. Tightness through the trunk can also impact balance and lead to movement compensations.

3. Low Muscle Tone

Some children naturally have lower muscle tone.

Parents often describe these children as “floppy,” “loose,” or very flexible. These children may need longer to develop the stability and strength necessary for walking because their muscles have to work harder to support their joints.

As a result, milestones such as standing and walking may take a little longer to emerge.

4. Flexible Ankles and Flat Feet

Some children have very flexible ankles and feet. When they stand, their ankles may collapse inward and their feet may flatten significantly.

While flexibility can be helpful in some situations, it also means there is a larger range of motion for the body to control. Children with very flexible ankles often need more time to develop the stability and control required for standing and walking independently.

Some children may also benefit from orthotic support to help improve

alignment and stability.

5. Balance and Vestibular Challenges

The vestibular system is our body’s balance system.

It helps us understand where our body is in space and allows us to maintain balance while moving.

Some children need additional support developing balance, postural control, and confidence with movement. When balance feels challenging, walking can feel much more intimidating.

6. Developmental or Medical Diagnoses

Sometimes delayed walking is associated with an underlying diagnosis. Certain conditions may require more intervention and support to help children develop the skills needed for standing and walking.

Some children who later receive a diagnosis on the autism spectrum may also have early motor delays or difficulties with independent walking.

However, many children who are late walkers do not have a specific diagnosis, which is why a thorough assessment is so important.

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What Can You Try at Home?

While every child is different, some strategies I frequently use include:

Encourage Movement on the Floor

Provide plenty of opportunities for crawling, climbing, reaching, and exploring. Tummy time and crawling are important for developing core strength and body awareness.

Heavy Work Activities

Pushing weighted carts, laundry baskets, toy shopping carts, or other safe objects can help improve strength, body awareness, and stability.

Practice Supported Standing

Standing with their back against a wall can help children learn what an upright posture feels like while reducing some of the balance demands.

Resistance Walking

Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, walking with light resistance bands such as a theraband around the lower ribs can help improve core activation and body awareness.

Watch for Movement Symmetry

Does your child always pull to stand with the same leg first, or always climb the stairs leading with the same leg?

These patterns can sometimes suggest underlying asymmetry. Specific activities can help encourage improved symmetry, alignment, and strength throughout the body.

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There Is Usually a Reason for Delayed Walking

One of the biggest misconceptions about delayed walking is that children simply need more practice.

In reality, there is often an underlying reason why walking is taking longer to develop. Identifying that reason allows us to create a treatment plan that addresses the root cause rather than simply waiting and hoping the skill emerges.

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When Should You Seek Help?

If your child is not yet walking, seems unstable when standing, frequently collapses through their ankles, appears unusually floppy, or if you simply have concerns about their development, a pediatric physiotherapy assessment can help identify what may be contributing to the delay.

Early intervention does not just focus on getting children walking — it helps build the strength, stability, balance, and confidence that support future motor development.

If you have questions about your child’s development or would like a thorough assessment to better understand the factors contributing to delayed walking, I’d be happy to help.

Contact NeuroAlchemy Wellness to book an assessment and receive a personalized plan tailored to your child’s unique needs.

To book an assessment at NeuroAlchemy Wellness, contact

neuroalchemywellness@gmail.com