# If a child in your care isn't running yet Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-running Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited Most children start running between 18 and 24 months, after a few months of steady walking. A child walking well but not yet running near age 2 is usually within the normal range and worth gentle monitoring. Seek a developmental check if a child isn't walking by 18 months, has lost a skill, or shows stiffness, weakness, frequent falling or persistent toe-walking. This is a reason to assess early, not a diagnosis. *Watching for those first running steps is natural — and noticing the gap, with a calm eye, is loving caregiving.* ## In short Most children begin running — a wobbly, stiff-legged trot at first — somewhere between **18 and 24 months**, after they have been walking steadily for a few months. If a child in your care is walking well but not yet running by around 2 years, this is usually within the normal range and worth gentle monitoring. The time to arrange a developmental check is when a child **isn't walking by 18 months**, has stopped using a skill they once had, or shows running alongside frequent falling, stiffness, weakness or toe-walking that doesn't settle. ## What to watch Running is a gross-motor milestone (ICF mobility, d4) that builds on confident walking, balance and leg strength. Encourage it through play rather than pressure. Gentle flags that deserve a clinician's eye: - **Not walking independently by 18 months** — this is the more important earlier milestone to check first. - **Frequent falling or great difficulty with balance** well beyond the early walking months. - **Stiffness, weakness, persistent toe-walking, or one side used much less** than the other. - **Loss of a movement skill** the child once had — always worth prompt review. - **Motor delays travelling with** few words, little eye contact or reduced social connection. If a child is simply cautious or a late mover but otherwise strong and curious, plenty of active play usually does the rest. ## When to act If walking itself is delayed past 18 months, or running difficulty comes with stiffness, weakness or loss of skills, arrange a developmental check now rather than waiting. What you observe every day is valuable information for a clinician. ## The Pinnacle way A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our clinicians watch how a child moves, balances and plays, then shape support around joyful, active play. You can read more about [running](/running) as a milestone, and our [physiotherapy](/physiotherapy) team can help build strength, coordination and confidence. ## Trusted sources CDC developmental milestones and "Learn the Signs, Act Early" resources on gross-motor skills; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) guidance on toddler movement and developmental monitoring; WHO ICF framework for mobility (d4). **Next step —** Trust what you've noticed. [Book a developmental assessment](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) for a calm, clear review of the child's movement and milestones. This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. ## Sources - CDC developmental milestones (Learn the Signs, Act Early): https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - AAP guidance on toddler movement and development: https://www.healthychildren.org - WHO ICF framework for mobility: https://icd.who.int ## Connected topics and perspectives - Skills: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/skills - Caregiver: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/caregiver - Motor: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/motor - Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Recognise signs & concerns - If a child isn't yet running: a caregiver's guide: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-running-skills - What does it mean if my child is not yet showing running?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-running - Is It Normal My Child Isn't Showing Running Skills Yet?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-running-skills - What does it mean if my child is not yet showing running skills?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-running-skills - When Do Toddlers Start Running?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-running - By what age is a child usually expected to run, and what should a teacher expect in class?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-running-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class - Could difficulty with running be a sign of a developmental delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/could-difficulty-with-running-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay - Observing a child learning to run on a home visit: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/during-a-home-visit-what-should-a-frontline-worker-observe-about-a-child-learning-to-running - When to escalate a child who cannot run at the expected age: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/if-a-child-cannot-running-at-the-expected-age-when-should-a-frontline-health-worker-escalate - Is difficulty learning to run a developmental red flag?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-difficulty-learning-to-running-a-clinical-red-flag-that-warrants-a-developmental-referral - Is it normal that my toddler is not yet running?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-running - What signs suggest my child may need support with running?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-running ### Understand assessment - How can a clinician assess and track a child's progress in learning to run?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-clinician-assess-and-track-a-child-s-progress-in-learning-to-running - My child is in the red zone for running — what does that mean?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-running-what-does-that-mean ### Explore therapy & support - Therapy techniques to develop running: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-therapist-what-techniques-help-a-child-develop-the-ability-to-running - How can a teacher support a child working on running?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-running - How can a teacher support a student who is still learning to run?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-running - What therapy helps a child learn to run?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-running - How should a therapist prioritise a child who is in the amber zone for running?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-running - How should a therapist prioritise a child in the green zone for running?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-green-zone-for-running - Red zone for running — what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-running-what-should-we-do-next ### At home & in everyday life - Helping Your Child Practise Running at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-running-during-everyday-routines - How can I help my child learn to run at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-my-child-with-learn-to-running-at-home - What is one Everyday Therapy activity to help my child with running?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-running