YOUR QUESTION. A CLEARER NEXT STEP.
Is my 18–24-month-old moving and walking as expected?
Most 18-to-24-month-olds walk independently and are steadily adding skills like running, climbing, squatting and kicking a ball, with small differences in pace being completely normal. The key reassurance is whether movement is steadily building month on month. A check is worth it if a child is not walking by 18 months, walks only with help by 24 months, walks persistently on tiptoes, or loses a skill. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
By this age, those wobbly first steps are turning into confident toddling — and a few stumbles along the way are completely normal.
In short
Most children between 18 and 24 months are walking well, getting steadier by the week, and beginning to add new skills like climbing, squatting to pick up a toy, and trying to run. Every toddler finds their own pace, so small differences are usually nothing to worry about. The most helpful check is simply: is your child building on what they could do last month? If movement is steadily growing, that is a reassuring sign.
What's typical at 18–24 months
- Around 18 months — walks well independently, may walk up steps with a hand held, can pull or carry a toy while walking, climbs onto furniture, and begins to stoop and stand back up.
- Around 20–22 months — walks more smoothly, starts to run (still a little stiff), kicks a ball forward, and squats easily to play on the floor.
- By 24 months — runs fairly well, climbs up and down low furniture, walks up and down steps holding on, kicks a ball and may throw one overhand.
Remember that children who started walking a little later, or who were born early (use corrected age), may reach these a touch later — and that is still within the normal range of healthy development.
When a check is worth it
A developmental check is a good idea if, by 18 months, your child is not yet walking at all, or by 24 months still walks only with help. Also worth a look: walking persistently on tiptoes, a clear limp, frequent unexplained falls, marked stiffness or floppiness in the legs, or a loss of a movement skill your child once had. These don't mean something is wrong — they simply mean a quick professional look will give you clear answers and peace of mind.
The Pinnacle way
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care. If you'd like reassurance, a clinician can map your child's movement against age-appropriate milestones through a clinician-administered AbilityScore® assessment, and gentle paediatric physiotherapy can strengthen any skills that need a little support. You can also explore how we support children and families at every stage.
Trusted sources
CDC Developmental Milestones (movement, 18 and 24 months); American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) gross-motor guidance for toddlers; WHO motor development milestones.
Next step — Want clear answers about your toddler's movement? Book a developmental check with a Pinnacle clinician.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch for not walking at all by 18 months, walking only with help by 24 months, persistent tiptoe walking, a clear limp, frequent unexplained falls, marked stiffness or floppiness, or loss of a movement skill your child once had.
In everyday life
Give your toddler safe, open floor space to practise — let them push a sturdy toy, climb low cushions and squat to pick up toys, as this everyday play builds balance, strength and confidence.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
My 18-month-old isn't walking yet — should I worry?
Not walking independently by 18 months is one of the points where a gentle developmental check is worthwhile — not as a cause for alarm, but to get clear answers. Many children catch up quickly, especially if they were born early (use corrected age). A clinician can map your child's movement and reassure you or offer simple support if needed.
Is tiptoe walking at this age normal?
Occasional tiptoe walking is common as toddlers experiment with movement. It's worth a check if your child walks on tiptoes most of the time, can't put their heels down flat, or seems stiff in the legs — a quick professional look will tell you whether it's just a phase.
My toddler runs but falls a lot — is that okay?
Early running is naturally stiff and a little clumsy, so occasional falls are expected between 18 and 24 months. If falls are very frequent, seem unexplained, or your child tires very quickly compared with peers, a developmental check can offer reassurance.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC Developmental Milestones (18 & 24 months)
- Source referenceAAP HealthyChildren.org — toddler development
- Source referenceWHO motor development milestones
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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