Why is the child one year old and he doesn’t walk? The main psychological factors include

Babies take their first steps at 12 months. However, there are exceptions. A child may not walk a year for various reasons. Let's list some of them.

Why doesn't a one-year-old child walk?

If a child does not walk, but sits well, crawls or can stand on his feet, there is no reason to worry. Walk with him holding his hand, he is probably just afraid to take the first step. Keep an eye on him, sometimes after several falls the baby loses the desire to walk on his own. Daily training and your support are important here.

A child may not walk independently for a year due to psychological unpreparedness.

The environment and his character influence the baby. Lazy or quiet children are in no hurry to take their first steps. Due to their nature, little fidgets begin to walk the fastest.

If the child does not want to walk and does not try to sit or crawl at all, consult a doctor. The following reasons are identified:

• genetic predisposition;
• weak muscles;
• undeveloped musculoskeletal system;
• hypoxia or damage to brain cells;
• poor nutrition.

With weak leg muscles, the child relies more on his hands when standing up. With an undeveloped musculoskeletal system, the baby sits crookedly, because it is difficult for him to maintain balance. Hypoxia develops during pregnancy. A woman, as a rule, learns about it before the birth of her child.

What to do if a child walks poorly or does not want to walk

Go for a consultation with a doctor. In addition to the examination, you will need to take tests and undergo a full examination. Once the diagnosis is made, treatment is prescribed.

To help your baby start walking faster:

1. Get a foot massage, or better yet, trust a professional massage therapist. Swimming will help strengthen muscles and increase their tone.
2. Help your child stand up by holding onto a sofa or chair. Praise him and ask him to repeat the same thing, but this time on his own.
3. Take your child by the hands and walk around the room with him. First, hold him tightly with both hands, then with one. After a couple of sessions, hold only the finger, and then release it.
4. Place your baby close to you and open your arms for a hug. Don't yell at him, but on the contrary, smile and call him to you. Don't forget about praise.

Little tricks will come in handy for motivation. Collect toys from the floor and place them on the sofa, ask your baby to get them for you. The child can be helped for the first time.

Stop using walkers. The child quickly gets used to them and has a hard time weaning off them.

As soon as the child turns ten months old, parents begin to ask the question: how to teach the child to walk. All babies develop according to an individual scenario. Some begin to walk at 7-8 months, while others continue to only sit and crawl after one and a half years. It's understandable that moms and dads worry if everything is okay with their child. All responsible parents want to help their little ones master such an important skill as independent walking.

This cannot be done without training and effort. Fortunately, there are already proven methods that help teach a child to walk. You can find out how to help your baby take his first steps right now. In one year, a baby has to overcome a difficult developmental path. In just 12 months, the child turns from a lying “lump” into a crawling, and then into an upright little person.

Over the course of a year, the baby’s entire motor system improves. Of course, parents wait impatiently for their child to learn to walk. I really want to hear the stomping steps as soon as possible. It is possible that later in apartments and houses one will hear shouts: “stop,” don’t go there,” “come here.” But that will come later.

How to teach a child to walk independently

Are you wondering when children start walking on their own? Normally, this occurs from approximately 9 to 16 months. First, the baby tries to get up, then he takes his first independent steps, while holding on to furniture or the fingers of loved ones. You can try to lift the child up by the arms. You will see how he will walk in the air. Even in this way, the baby also prepares for future walking.

The most difficult step is the first step. As soon as you see that the child is walking, do not let him walk too much. Due to the fact that the arch of the foot is not yet sufficiently formed, heavy loads are contraindicated. Moderation and short duration are the key to successful walking. Don't rush your baby, don't force him to take his first steps too early.

Walk safely in early age(up to 9 months) walking is considered to be that which began without stimulation from the parents. Therefore, all doctors warn: do not teach your child to walk too early. What to do if your baby tries to get to his feet early on his own? Don't bother him. If he feels strong, then it’s time for the first step. All you have to do is support your pioneer.

But you shouldn’t put stress on your spine either. Therefore, do not force things and do not let the baby become overtired. What to do if a child does not want to learn to walk on his own? Even healthy children do not always and not all express a desire to take their first steps at the age of one and a half years. This is fine. You have time to teach your baby to walk. Your task: pay attention to how a child’s foot is formed.

There are children who walk on tiptoes, clubbing, and putting their socks apart. In this case, you need to show the child to specialists: a neurologist, orthopedist. Only after a detailed assessment nervous system, muscle development, doctors will be able to prescribe a suitable treatment procedure. This could be swimming, gymnastics, massage. Rest assured, specialists will do everything for the baby’s health.

What can prevent a child from taking his first steps on his own?

There are a number of indicators that prevent babies from walking:

1. Heavy weight. The first step is to review the child's diet. The best workout for an overweight baby is swimming or active crawling.
2. Genetics. As a rule, children whose parents went early have a better chance of becoming their example.
3. Features of temperament. All children are different: if choleric and sanguine people are fast and nimble in everything, then phlegmatic and melancholic people are in no hurry to walk on their own. Don't push them, just be understanding of how psychomotor development occurs.
4. Climate. It has been scientifically proven that residents of the southern regions develop faster than northerners. This fact also needs to be taken into account.
5. Unsuccessful attempts. As soon as a child tries to fall a couple of times during the first steps, he develops a fear of walking. In this case, parents need to be especially active in supporting their baby.
6. Excessive interest in walkers. It is important to understand that when a child is constantly in such structures, he does not develop his musculoskeletal system as it should. There is a risk of improper arch formation in walkers.
7. Cold. This disease weakens the child's health. And even if he has already started trying to walk, there is a chance that the skill will be forgotten. But after recovery, everything will return to its place.
8. Childhood fears. Children are also susceptible to stress. When a baby finds himself in an unfamiliar environment, when he is surrounded excessively emotional people, he has to be careful. In stressful situations, no child will want to learn to walk.
9. Malfunctions of the musculoskeletal system. Serious disorders hinder the child’s development, including preventing the development of walking skills. Required here drug treatment and carrying out a number of restorative procedures.

What to do when you, as a parent, have some doubts or worries about why your child refuses to walk? Don't look for support on blogs or forums. Such independent attempts to solve the problem will not lead to any good. The only one who can really help you is a doctor.

How to teach a child to walk: we help, develop the skill

Do you want to teach your child to walk? First, it is important to make sure that the baby is ready for this important process: he gets up from his knees without problems, can stand for a long time against a support, and tries to walk along the furniture. Your task: to provide support in the development of such an important skill:

• Pick up suitable shoes. It should be natural, with a hard back, with good arch support. This will help support your foot. Do not allow the baby's foot to dangle.
• Walk barefoot together. In the warm season, it is imperative to walk without shoes. Go out into nature more often, where you can walk on grass, sand, and stones. This strengthens muscles, joints, and ligaments.
• Do not let your baby run on parquet, tiles, or linoleum. Children stand unsteadily on such a surface and often fall. Alternatively, you can purchase socks with rubber soles.
• Take care of your equipment. The head of a baby who is learning to walk needs to be especially protected. You can swim with a protective helmet.
• Provide the necessary space. Children need a lot of space to move around. You need to remove unnecessary items in advance - everything that might get in your way.

As a last resort, if you are worried that the child may fall and get hit hard, take the reins. Some may think that this method is not humanistic. However, many parents use it. They think that the baby will be safe this way. Experts say that the baby must learn to fall. The reins interfere with this. And the child “in harness” looks wild. As soon as your baby takes his first steps, be as vigilant as possible.

Make sure there are no sharp or heavy objects in sight. It makes sense to put protection on the corners of furniture, and plugs on sockets. Don't forget about hot items. It is important to remove household chemicals from the accessible area, medicines and cosmetics. Prepare everything that will help the explorer safely conquer the world. May your baby always be healthy!

Some one-year-old children briskly walk with their feet, refusing the stroller, while others do not want to walk and ask to be held by their parents. In pediatrics, certain criteria for child development are identified. The baby should be able to walk independently by the first year of his life. However, the development of babies is strictly individual. It is important to be able to distinguish deviations from character traits or physiology.

— As a rule, well-fed and large children are lazy and prefer to move with the help of an adult. They develop a little longer than others, sit up late, and learn to crawl. Such babies master independent walking after a year.

— Premature and weak children are often slightly behind in learning skills, which is quite natural for them. Babies take longer to gain weight, and their muscular system develops more slowly. As you grow older, the difference with your peers will become less and less obvious.

— Melancholic and phlegmatic people are in no hurry to please their parents by walking early; they are in no hurry at all. Slowly but surely, they learn new skills, then improve them and move on to the next ones.

- Obviously, a baby spoiled by excessive attention and care will also not want to leave his parents’ arms - after all, he is already comfortable. Often parents, through their efforts, accustom their child to such “get-togethers”, and then complain that the child does not want to walk - he constantly asks to be held.

The main reasons for refusing to walk independently

1. Fear. Perhaps the child is afraid of falling, which is inevitable when mastering this type of movement.

2. Too attached to mother. Until one year, mother and child are united by a strong physiological connection; the baby literally “sticks” to the parent and does not want to let her go.

3. Bored. Children, who are often left under the care of grandmothers, nannies and other people, miss their parents. The desire to hug your mother or father, to be as close as possible, is quite natural.

4. Incorrect training. You cannot force a child to walk and create provocative situations (leave so that the baby can catch up, for example). If the baby is not ready, then this method will lead to the opposite result.

5. Small, not ready. Of course, it’s not pleasant when neighbors brag about their seven-month-old child walking around the yard on his own. Moreover, at a time when his one-year-old offspring sits in his arms and doesn’t even think about walking!

This does not mean that the child is developmentally delayed or bad. It's just that his time hasn't come yet. There is no need to compare your child with someone else's. First, parents tend to exaggerate their children's achievements. Secondly, everyone develops in their own way and everyone has their own successes. Apparently, the baby preferred to learn another skill, for example, going to the potty or eating with a spoon.

A parent can help their child develop better and more confidently. But insisting, rushing, reproaching is strictly prohibited. Why not just enjoy the affection of a baby who is reaching out to his beloved dad and mom? Time is so fleeting, and children grow at lightning speed. Just a little bit, and the little man himself won’t want to go into his parents’ arms.

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Doesn't sleep well

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Hysterics

Parents, without exception, tend to be proud of the achievements of their children. The first tooth came out, the child sat up on his own, crawled, reached for a toy on his own, took the first step - all these are reasons for incredible pride.

For some reason, mothers and fathers believe that the sooner their child stands on two legs and starts walking on his own, the better. And those whose little ones don’t want to sit down, crawl and walk tend not only to panic, fearing for the health of their beloved child, but also to blame themselves for the fact that their child is developing more slowly than others. The famous children's doctor Evgeniy Komarovsky tells whether it is possible to teach a child to walk independently and whether this should be done.

About norms and deviations from them

In pediatrics, there are certain standards for the physical development of a child. Typically, the average baby begins to stand with support at 7-9 months. He begins to cope without support (or even takes his first steps) by 10-12 months. If a child does not walk at 1 year and 2 months, this is not necessarily a sign of a serious illness. Such a baby does not need to be treated immediately.

If the pediatrician reasonably considers the child healthy, then it does not matter at all when the baby begins to walk - at 6, 8 months, at 10 or at 18. In the notorious statistics, of course, the timing of the start of upright walking is also discussed - from 10 to 15 months. However, in practice they can differ greatly from these values, since all children are very individual. Komarovsky advises not to compare your child with other children and with average standards. This is a thankless task; it leads to the development of neuroses in both the child and his parents.

Why doesn't the child walk?

The ability to develop walking is influenced by a huge number of factors:

• weight and build of the baby;
• readiness of muscles and spine;
• his state of health (whether there are any chronic or acute diseases);
• child's temperament, character traits;
• heredity;
• the child's desire to walk.

Komarovsky considers the baby’s desire to move vertically to be the key factor. Nature has arranged everything in such a way that the desire to walk appears precisely when there are optimal physical capabilities for its implementation.

If the child has successfully completed all the previous stages (rolling over, sitting, crawling), he is quite ready to stand and walk. However, there is no need to rush him. Children who are forced into an upright position by their parents are at great risk. The load on the spine (especially if the baby is chubby and weighs more than normal) can cause further problems with this same spine.

If the baby is somatically healthy, and the pediatrician who is observing him declares that the child has no diseases, then Komarovsky advises not to specifically teach the child to walk for up to a year. Nothing terrible, according to Evgeniy Olegovich, will happen if the little one spends a couple of extra months in a horizontal position.

About walkers

Many parents believe that walkers will help solve the problem of “non-walking”. They buy this (not the cheapest) device and calm down - everything that depended on them has been done. Dr. Evgeniy Komarovsky says that the main benefit of walkers is the benefit for parents. Walkers are a great way to keep your child occupied and free own hands. While the child is in a walker, the mother can be calm - the child will not fall anywhere, will not hit a sharp corner, or be injured. If we are talking about the short time it takes a mother to cook dinner or take a shower, then there is nothing wrong with a walker.

The terrible thing begins when parents, with the help of these same walkers, try hard to teach the child to walk and keep the baby in this device all the time until he sleeps.

The earlier mom and dad start using walkers, the stronger and more dangerous the vertical load on the child’s spine.

Before standing, the baby must go through the crawling stage, since in the process of moving on the belly, on all fours, on fists, even backwards, the child’s back, legs and arms muscles are trained and strengthened, which then allows him to start walking with minimal load on the spine.

Walkers may cause acquired curvature of the legs. The fact is that a child in a walker pushes off the surface with the outer side of the foot. If this method of movement is practiced often, incorrect walking is formed. Crooked legs may not be such a big problem for a boy, but it doesn’t look good on a girl.

It's no secret that walkers are a common gift for families with a small child. Considering all of the above, Dr. Komarovsky recommends that donors replace the walker with a playpen. This device will help the child have a good time, not fall or get hurt, or climb somewhere, and will give the mother precious free time for cooking, ironing and putting herself in order.

For more details, watch the short video of Dr. Komarovsky.

How to teach walking?

Komarovsky says that The best way teach a child to walk - first teach him to crawl and in every possible way encourage such a horizontal (and therefore relatively safe) way of moving in space.

Sometimes it happens that a child is afraid to start walking. Physically, he is ready (and even tried) to walk on his own, but he fell, was badly hurt, something scared him, and after that the little one does not want to take any steps. In this situation, parents should gently and unobtrusively help their child - but not learn to walk, but overcome fear.

The correct way to teach a child to walk is to teach him when he himself is ready for it, but for some reason cannot overcome his fear. It is quite difficult for parents, especially those with little parenting experience, to understand when the baby is ready to move on two limbs. There are a few sure signs that there is physiological readiness:

• The child can stand on his feet for a long time, holding onto the side of the playpen or the railing of the crib.
• The child learned to step over, holding on to the sides or railings.
• The child learned not only to stand, but also to take a sitting position from a standing position (this indicates developed back muscles).
• The child is already walking, but he does it in his own way - he walks on his knees, tries to move on his toes.

Conquering fear is not as easy as it seems; it will take long and hard work from mom and dad. It is best to work with your child in a playful way, encouraging him to let go of the support and take a step on his own. If you decide to do such activities, the first thing you will need is orthopedic shoes, which will allow your child to stand on his own two feet more confidently.

Then you should create the right surface for walking (slippery tiles and equally slippery linoleum are not suitable). If the baby has begun to walk, but does so unsteadily, often falls, sometimes stops and starts crying, you can use support in the form of reins (made from a sheet, attached to the shoulder girdle and under the arms).

If the baby is already able to stomp on his own, you need to help him learn to overcome obstacles. With the help of adults in a playful way, he can step over small items, a stretched rope. Such exercises will help him feel his body and explore its capabilities.

Walking barefoot

Parents often ask if their child can walk barefoot. Many do this under pressure from the older generation - grandparents are horrified when they see a toddler take his first steps with bare heels on the bare floor. There is nothing wrong with such a “walk” without shoes, Komarovsky believes, and besides, it is very useful for the child.

Nature does not provide any shoes, and therefore biologically and physiologically the child definitely does not need them. If the floor is cold and the baby is barefoot, there is no need to be afraid that increased heat transfer will occur. The child is unlikely to get sick.

How quickly time flies - your baby is already a year old! You managed to teach him a lot. He sits himself, eats with his hands, and plays independently. It's just still crawling.

And they tried to help him, and force him, and teach him - the child does not want to walk, despite all attempts. Sound familiar? Then this article is for you! We will tell you why the little man is in no hurry, and what parents need to do in this case.

From this article you will learn

Do we need to meet standards?

Often, when summing up the previous 12 months of our baby’s life, we compare his results with the successes of his peers. Such a comparison does not always turn out to be in favor of our little one - it begins to seem that other people's children are more capable, developed, and perfect.

For some reason, parents forget that the first year is a time of discovery, rapid change and rapid development. And any standards are so petty in comparison with each conquered peak!

Remember how your friend’s son learned to sit up on his own, but yours just started to roll over? Remember how worried you were that the little one was falling behind? But he sat down, didn’t he?

11–12 months is the period when the child develops his first desire for independence. The baby wants to do everything and decide on his own. Where and with what to play, what to do, where to put the toy.

It is believed that the baby begins to walk right now. However, ask your girlfriends or look at what moms write on forums? Do all children, without exception, already move on their legs within a year?

Readiness to walk is a complex process for which the baby prepares from 5–6 months of age. First, he needs to be taught to crawl, then stand at a support, and then slowly move along it.

Each child's body and brain require different amounts of time to become ready. It is very difficult to predict how many months your baby will need.

What should a year old child be able to do?

Since we are talking about the baby’s motor skills, we will only talk about them further. So, at 11–12 months the baby can:

• crawl quickly and actively;
• stand with or without support;
• squat and stand up from any position;
• walk holding the hands of an adult;
• climb on and off the sofa.

All the above standards are approximate. If your little one doesn’t know how to do something yet, don’t worry! All skills can be taught to him. What do we have to do? You should start by strengthening your muscles. Daily gymnastics or a gentle massage can help you (it is better to alternate them).

Spend as much time as possible with your child. Remember, games are the most effective and interesting teaching method for a one-year-old baby (as well as for older children). Crawl together, play “catch up”, “hide and seek”, “race”.

Think less about why the child still can’t do something. And try to teach him more often (preferably by personal example), encourage him for his existing successes, and be proud of his new achievements.

Why doesn't the baby walk?

The reasons that a one-year-old baby still crawls on his knees can be very different.

• The muscles and spine are not ready yet.
• Such heredity.
• Lack of incentive or learning opportunity (these are all playpens, walkers).
• The child is afraid to walk (fell, hit himself during previous attempts).
• Weak muscle tone, neurological problems.
• I like crawling more than walking.

Much depends on the character of the child. An active and curious baby, already at 9–11 months, begins to quickly and deftly stomp his feet. While a patient observer will not walk independently even in a year.

Everything is very individual. One baby can crawl comfortably and will stand on his feet late. Another toddler, having not mastered moving on all fours, immediately begins to stand at the support, and then walk.

You can teach your baby as much as you like and help him walk independently. But if the baby doesn’t want to, you won’t be able to force him in any way.

If you see that the child does not want to walk, but at the same time he has all the possibilities, just wait. A few months will pass, and you will remember with a smile how you worried in vain.

What can you teach a baby?

If you decide to intervene in the natural development of your child and want to teach him to walk, the following tips will certainly be useful to you.

• Encourage any movement. The more of them there are, the faster the muscles necessary for walking will develop.
• Choose comfortable orthopedic shoes of the appropriate size for your child. But use it mainly on the street; at home it is better to teach the baby to move barefoot.
• Strengthen your baby's legs. After all, it is on them that the body (not always light in a year) will have to be supported. Let him jump on your lap and hold your hands.
• Develop interest. While the little man is happy with everything, it is almost impossible to teach him to walk. Give the boy a wheelchair, and the girl a stroller with a doll. Carry these interesting toys It won’t work on your knees, but standing is just right!
• Stay close. Do you want to teach your little one? Then walk together, hand in hand! Show with your example how this should be done (the more often, the better).

Praise, be proud, admire. For you, walking on your feet is normal. And how much effort and courage the little man will need! It is important not only to teach the little one, but also to reward him for any success.

What not to do

How many mistakes do parents make when trying to teach their baby to walk a year old? Below we have given several main points that should be excluded from the educational methodology.

• Throw without support. Sometimes adults create a forced environment for the baby to go. They lead the baby by the hand, and then let go and move away, trying to call the child to them. If you teach him this way, you can develop a feeling of fear of walking and uncertainty in the parent.
• Walkers. A popular device designed to teach a baby to walk in almost a month. As practice shows, such “transport” does not stimulate, but, on the contrary, suppresses the desire to move independently. Why, because walkers take the child wherever he wants.
• Comparisons. “Look, Masha is already walking on her own, and you are still holding on to your mother’s skirt!” If you prefer to teach your child based on the experience and capabilities of other children, get ready for the fact that your baby will grow up to be an insecure, complex person who is dependent on other people’s opinions. Is this what you want?

To teach a child to walk, you need to be patient and strong. Be prepared for the fact that your efforts will not lead to results as quickly as you would like. Remember - the baby will be able to walk only when he is ready both physically and psychologically. No matter how much you wish you could teach him this sooner.

When to see a doctor

Sometimes (very, very rarely) the reason that a child does not walk is weak muscle tone. It is usually detected during the first months of life. But doctors sometimes make mistakes. How to determine that your baby may have problems?

• At one year old, the toddler does not crawl or stand on support.
• At 18 months, the baby still does not stand or walk independently.
• The baby still has difficulty holding his back and has difficulty sitting.

Most likely, such signs will alert an attentive mother much earlier. Does your little one actively climb around rooms, climb onto chairs and explore the world? You don't have to worry!

If you still have doubts, consult a neurologist and orthopedist. They will dispel your fears and concerns. Don’t forget – the child feels the mother’s experiences. Don't make him needlessly nervous with you.

Mothers are very worried if the baby does not walk at one year old. Especially when you see peers taking their first steps. Parents try to teach the little man, force, persuade and even turn to specialists.

As a result, the baby still begins to walk independently when it is convenient and necessary for him. And how much time, nerves and effort was spent!

If your child is developing well, feels great, and the lack of this skill does not hinder him in any way, leave the baby alone. All that is needed from you is patience and the ability to rejoice at the child’s achievements that already exist.