{"h1":"How a teacher can support a child working on running","faq":[{"a":"Most toddlers begin running between about 18 and 30 months, once walking is steady and balance and leg strength have matured. Each child has their own pace, so a little earlier or later is often perfectly normal.","q":"At what age do toddlers usually start running?"},{"a":"Chasing games like \"catch me\", follow-the-leader, rolling and chasing a ball, and running to a favourite spot all build strength and confidence. Climbing and jumping help too, by strengthening the legs and core.","q":"What games help a toddler practise running?"},{"a":"If a child consistently avoids running, tires very quickly, moves one side of the body differently, or seems far behind peers, it is worth sharing with parents and arranging a developmental check with a clinician.","q":"When should I be concerned about my child's running?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-running","title":"How can a teacher support a child working on running?","entity":{"key":"running","kind":"skill","name":"running","slug":"running"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent","value":"parent"},{"kind":"age","label":"Toddler","value":"toddler"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Motor","value":"motor"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Support","value":"support"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Act","value":"act"},{"kind":"route","label":"Book-Assessment","value":"book-assessment"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Family Empowerment","value":"family_empowerment"},{"kind":"ability","label":"Running","value":"running"},{"kind":"assessment","label":"Ages & Stages Questionnaires, 3rd ed.","value":"asq3"},{"kind":"language","label":"English","value":"en"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being","value":"3"},{"kind":"skill","label":"running","value":"running"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Caregiver","value":"caregiver"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Teacher / Educator","value":"teacher"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Therapist / Clinician","value":"therapist"}],"parent":{"key":"skills","label":"Skills"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-i-support-my-child-s-running","title":"How can I support my child's Running?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-running-skills","title":"How can a teacher support a student still learning running skills?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-running","title":"What therapy helps a child learn to run?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-running-skills","title":"What therapy helps a child learn running skills?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-running","title":"How can a teacher support a student who is still learning to run?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-running-skills","title":"How can a teacher support a child working on running skills?"}],"summary":"A teacher supports a toddler working on running through safe, playful daily movement — chasing games, obstacle play and lots of low-pressure encouragement that build leg strength, balance and coordination, while celebrating effort over speed and sharing observations with parents. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","answer_md":"*When a toddler is learning to run, a teacher who turns the playground into a playground of practice can make every wobble a step towards joyful, confident movement.*\n\n## In short\nA teacher supports a child working on running by building **safe, playful chances to move every day** — chasing games, gentle obstacle play and lots of encouragement that grow the leg strength, balance and coordination running needs. The trick is to make it fun and low-pressure, celebrate effort over speed, and give the child plenty of repetition. Most toddlers progress steadily when movement is woven naturally into play.\n\n## How a teacher can help\n- **Make running into a game** — \"catch me\", follow-the-leader, rolling a ball to chase, or running to a favourite spot. Children practise hardest when they are having fun.\n- **Build the foundations** — climbing, jumping, stepping over low cushions and walking on different surfaces strengthen the legs and core that running rests upon.\n- **Set a safe space** — clear, soft, non-slip areas with room to slow down and stop, and supportive shoes, so the child can try without fear of falling.\n- **Pace and praise** — short bursts, frequent rests, and warm praise for *trying* rather than winning. Pair a less-confident child with a gentle peer.\n- **Watch and share** — note how the child runs (balance, both sides moving evenly) and share observations with parents.\n\n## The science\nRunning emerges as toddlers refine walking — typically between 18 and 30 months — as balance, leg power and the brain's movement timing mature. Within ICF, this sits under mobility (d4). Repeated, enjoyable practice is exactly how these motor pathways strengthen.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nAbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or classroom checklist. Learn more about [running](/running) as a skill, explore [physiotherapy](/physiotherapy) support, and see how a child's [movement profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) is built.\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICF mobility framework; CDC \"Learn the Signs. Act Early.\" milestone resources; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org).\n\n**Next step —** Want simple ways to help a child run with confidence? [Connect with a Pinnacle physiotherapist](/physiotherapy).\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-running","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-running","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"skills","label":"Skills"}],"meta_title":"Helping a Toddler Learn to Run: A Teacher's Guide","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Turn running into a game every day — a short \"catch me\" chase, running to a favourite toy, or follow-the-leader. Praise the trying, not the speed.","published_at":"2026-06-10T14:16:00.221239+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"at-what-age-should-a-child-running","title":"When Do Toddlers Start Running?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"could-difficulty-with-running-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay","title":"Could difficulty with running be a sign of a developmental delay?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-running","title":"Is it normal that my toddler is not yet running?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-running","title":"What does it mean if my child is not yet showing running?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-running","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with running?","reason":"Same 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topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-running","title":"What is one Everyday Therapy activity to help my child with running?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-running-during-everyday-routines","title":"Helping Your Child Practise Running at Home","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"At home & in everyday life","total":4}],"what_to_watch":"Watch for a child who avoids running, tires very quickly, runs very stiffly or unevenly, or whose balance seems far behind peers of the same age — worth sharing with parents for a developmental check.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC milestone resources — Learn the Signs. Act Early."},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"AAP guidance for families (HealthyChildren.org)"},{"url":"https://icd.who.int","code":"d4","label":"WHO ICF mobility framework"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T13:50:00.132992+00:00","meta_description":"Practical, playful ways a teacher can support a toddler working on running — build strength and balance with safe games and warm encouragement.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}