When to Worry About Gross Motor Delay at 18–24 Months

Watching your toddler find their feet is one of parenthood's quiet joys — and noticing when they need a little extra support is wisdom, not worry.

In short

Between 18 and 24 months, most toddlers are walking confidently, beginning to run, and starting to climb and squat to pick things up. It's worth a developmental check if, by 18 months, your child is not yet walking independently, or if by 24 months they cannot walk steadily, climb onto low furniture, or are clearly behind where they were a few months ago. One slightly late skill in an otherwise active, growing child is usually fine — a pattern of several delays, or any loss of skills, is the signal to seek a friendly assessment rather than wait.

What gross motor progress looks like at this age

By 18–24 months, you'd typically expect a toddler to:

• Walk well on their own, and begin to run (even if a bit wobbly)
• Pull or push toys while walking
• Squat down to pick up an object and stand back up without using hands
• Begin walking up stairs holding a rail or your hand
• Climb onto and off a low sofa or chair
• Kick or throw a ball with growing control toward the second birthday

Worth a gentle check if you notice:

• Not walking independently by 18 months
• Walking only on tiptoes most of the time, or very stiff or floppy legs
• Frequent falling well beyond the early wobbly phase, or never gaining steadiness by 24 months
• One side of the body used much more than the other (favouring a hand or leg)
• Losing a movement skill they once had — this always warrants prompt review
• Motor delay alongside delays in speech, play or social connection

Remember that toddlers progress at their own pace, and prematurity is counted using corrected age. A single late milestone in a thriving, curious child rarely means a problem — it's the overall pattern that matters most.

When to act sooner

Any loss of skills, marked floppiness or stiffness, or strong one-sided preference deserves a prompt medical review, not a wait-and-watch approach. For everything else, an early developmental assessment simply gives you clarity and, where helpful, a head start with support — early movement help is gentle, play-based and effective.

The Pinnacle way

Early support for gross motor delay builds strength, balance and confidence through play, and our physiotherapy team makes it joyful rather than clinical. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — never from an online checklist. Pinnacle serves 4.95 lakh+ families through 70+ centres and 700+ therapists across 4 states.

Trusted sources

CDC's developmental milestone guidance and AAP's HealthyChildren resources describe expected movement skills for 18–24 months and flag not walking by 18 months and loss of skills as reasons to check in. WHO's Nurturing Care framework supports early, family-centred developmental monitoring.

Next step — If any of these signs sound familiar, book a developmental assessment at your nearest Pinnacle centre for clear, reassuring answers.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.