A couple of weeks ago, I worked with a child whose parents were worried because he wasn’t walking yet.
He loved holding onto their hands and could walk that way all day. But when they tried to let go, he just wouldn’t take those first steps.
This is a situation I see often.
And it raises an important question:
If a child has the skills to walk… why aren’t they walking yet?
The Three Skills Needed for Walking
When I evaluated him, he had all the foundational pieces in place:
- He could shift his weight from one leg to the other
- He had the strength to stand on one leg while stepping forward
- He could stand without holding onto anything
In other words—his body was ready.
So what was missing?
The Missing Link: Bringing It All Together
As we played, it became clear:
He had the foundation.
He had the motivation.
But he didn’t yet have the ability to put it all together into that first step.
Sometimes the barrier isn’t strength or balance—it’s helping the nervous system organize those skills into action.
A Technique to Help
I tried a technique I teach in Tummy Time to Walking.
I gently picked him up at his trunk and moved him up and down three times, then slowly lowered him into a standing position while his dad encouraged him from the front.
The idea is to stimulate his vestibular system (his sense of movement and balance) and help his body “wake up” for stepping.
And what do you think happened?
Nothing.
He pulled his feet up and refused to stand without support.
When It Doesn’t Work Right Away
This is important:
Even when you use the right technique, it doesn’t always work immediately.
We tried a few more times. He enjoyed the movement, but still no independent steps.
At the end of the session, I told his dad:
“Keep working on that up-and-down movement this week.”
No pressure. Just consistency.
What Happened Next
When I came back last week, his dad opened the door. There he was: Standing. Smiling. Walking toward me.
His parents told me he started walking just a couple of days after our session. They had continued using the technique and sure enough it got him to take those first steps.
What This Means for You
If your child isn’t walking yet, even though they seem close, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Skills don’t always turn into action right away
Development isn’t instant or constant. It builds, then clicks - Confidence and coordination matter just as much as strength
Your child may need repetition, not more ability - The right input, done consistently, makes the difference
One moment doesn’t create change, practice does.
A Simple Takeaway
If your child is close to walking:
Focus less on “why aren’t they doing it yet?” and more on giving them consistent opportunities and the right kind of input.
Progress often happens quietly—and then all at once.
Want More Help Like This?
If you found this helpful, I write a short, weekly newsletter for parents who want to better understand their baby’s development—without overwhelm or alarm.
Each week, I share:
- Simple ways to support your baby’s movement
- Real stories from my work as a pediatric PT
- Practical ideas you can use right away
You can sign up here (and receive the first chapter of my book):