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Running
Explore the questions families and professionals ask about running.
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Signs & concerns
Assessment & diagnosis
Therapy & support
At home
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Signs & concerns
If a child in your care isn't running yet
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.
Read the answer AnswerWhen Do Toddlers Start Running?
Most toddlers start running between 18 and 24 months, once walking is well established, with a smoother run by 2 to 2.5 years. A few months' variation is normal; check in if a child isn't walking by 18 months or attempting to run by around 2 years.
Read the answer AnswerBy what age is a child usually expected to run, and what should a teacher expect in class?
Most children start running between 18 and 24 months and run confidently by age 3. In class, expect 3–4 year olds to run, stop and turn, and 4–5 year olds to run smoothly, dodge and combine running with play. Persistent falling, toe-walking or asymmetry past age 3 warrants a developmental check.
Read the answer AnswerCould difficulty with running be a sign of a developmental delay?
Difficulty with running can be one sign of a gross motor delay, but rarely means much on its own. Most toddlers begin running around 18–24 months and steady up through the third year, with early clumsiness being normal. Watch the wider pattern — walking, balance, climbing, muscle tone and pace with peers — over time. These are signs to observe and monitor, not to diagnose at home; if a child isn't walking by 18 months, lags well behind peers by 2.5–3 years, or loses a skill, seek a developmental check.
Read the answer AnswerObserving a child learning to run on a home visit
During a home visit, a frontline worker should observe whether a toddler can run with growing speed and control, move both arms and legs evenly, stop and change direction without frequent falls, stay steady on uneven ground, and enjoy moving. Running emerges around 18–24 months and smooths by 3 years. These are observations to note and route — not to diagnose. Delay past the window, one-sided weakness, very stiff or floppy tone, or loss of a skill should be referred promptly for a developmental check.
Read the answer AnswerWhen to escalate a child who cannot run at the expected age
Most children run by 18–24 months. A frontline health worker should escalate for a developmental check if a child is not running by 24 months, not walking by 18 months, has lost a skill once present, or shows asymmetry, stiffness, floppiness, or accompanying speech and social delays. A single missed milestone in a thriving child may need only a 4–6 week follow-up; clustered flags or any skill loss warrant prompt referral. This is a referral decision, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerIs difficulty learning to run a developmental red flag?
Isolated difficulty learning to run is a soft sign, not a hard red flag — running matures around 18–24 months and consolidates by 2.5–3 years. It warrants developmental referral when delay is persistent, asymmetric, regressive, or clusters with other gross-motor, tone, or multi-domain concerns. Neuromuscular signs (Gowers', proximal weakness) or any loss of skills warrant prompt escalation. Assess within the child's whole motor trajectory rather than as a standalone milestone.
Read the answer AnswerIs it normal that my toddler is not yet running?
Most toddlers begin running between 18 and 24 months, often as a fast, stiff toddle before it smooths out. If your child walks steadily and is starting to move quickly, a not-yet-polished run is usually normal. Seek a developmental check if there's no independent walking by ~18 months or no running by around 2½ years — for review, not diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhat does it mean if my child is not yet showing running?
Most toddlers start running between 18 and 24 months, after a few months of steady walking. A child walking confidently but not yet running is often simply on their own timeline. Seek a developmental check if your child is past 2 and not walking well, has lost a skill, falls very often, or shows big-body delays alongside delays in talking or playing — this means early observation, not a diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerWhat signs suggest my child may need support with running?
Most toddlers begin true running between about 18 and 24 months and run smoothly by 2.5–3 years. Signs worth watching include not running by around 24 months, frequent falling or tripping, very stiff or floppy legs, persistent toe-walking, or steady avoidance of running and active play. These are reasons to observe and check — not to diagnose at home — and early, playful support helps when a gap persists across several months or more than one area is affected.
Read the answer AnswerWhen Do Children Usually Start Running?
Most children start running between 18 and 24 months, once walking is steady, with smoother, faster running emerging by 2.5 to 3 years. Early running looks stiff and flat-footed — that's normal. A gentle check is worthwhile if a child isn't attempting to run by 2 years or falls very frequently.
Read the answerAssessment & diagnosis
Therapy & support
Therapy techniques to develop running
Running develops through grading prerequisite gross-motor skills — lower-limb strength, single-leg balance and reciprocal coordination — then progressively challenging speed and the flight phase through play-based activities. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerHow can a teacher support a child working on running?
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.
Read the answer AnswerHow can a teacher support a student who is still learning to run?
A student learning to run is best supported by making movement playful, safe and pressure-free — breaking running into smaller skills like balance, push-off and stopping, using games for repetition, and adjusting space and pace so every child succeeds. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answer AnswerWhat therapy helps a child learn to run?
Running is supported mainly through physiotherapy and play-based movement therapy that build the leg strength, balance, coordination and confidence behind running, with parent coaching for daily practice. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Read the answerAt home
Helping Your Child Practise Running at Home
Help your child practise running by adding short, playful bursts of movement to everyday routines — chasing games, racing to the door, running after a ball — while building the balance and leg strength running needs. Most children begin running between 18 and 24 months, and joyful, low-pressure practice is exactly how the skill develops.
Read the answer AnswerHow can I help my child learn to run at home?
Most toddlers start running between 18 and 24 months once walking is steady. Help at home with safe open space, sturdy footing and playful fast-movement games — chasing, fetch-and-run, marching and dancing — rather than formal drills. Running grows from balance, leg strength and confidence built through joyful daily repetition.
Read the answer AnswerHow can I work on Running with my child at home?
You can grow your child's running at home through short, playful bursts — chase games, animal walks, stop-and-go runs and gentle obstacle courses that build leg strength, balance and coordination. Running usually develops between 18 months and 3 years; if your child isn't walking confidently or seems unsteady, a friendly developmental check is the next step.
Read the answer AnswerWhat is one Everyday Therapy activity to help my child with running?
One simple everyday activity for running is chase-and-stop games: run together for a few steps, call 'freeze!', then run again. This playful start-stop builds the leg strength, balance and control toddlers need to run, in short joyful bursts led by your child.
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