Picking Up the Pace: The First Attempts to Run

Once independent steps become steady, many children soon discover the thrill of speed. A calm walk suddenly turns into a fast trot, often accompanied by joyful squeals. This milestone marks the transition from simply getting around to a dynamic exploration of the world. Your child now feels a newfound strength in their legs and enjoys the independence that comes with moving quickly.

What shows up in your child

The first attempts to run often look quite different from the running style of older children or adults. Your child uses their entire body to maintain balance at this new pace. The arms are frequently bent and held high or stretched out to the sides. They serve as essential balancing poles while the legs hurry across the ground in quick, somewhat stiff steps.

True running is characterized by a flight phase, where both feet are off the ground for a brief moment. In the early months, however, fast running is mostly a very brisk walk where one foot always remains in contact with the ground. Your child often leans their upper body slightly forward to make the most of their momentum.

A particular challenge during this phase is stopping. While accelerating often works wonderfully, sudden braking is motorically very demanding. Many children simply let themselves fall into their parents' arms at the end of their run, stop against a soft piece of furniture, or plop down on their bottoms. Coordinating speed with their own body weight requires a lot of practice.

Additionally, you will observe an enormous amount of enthusiasm. The feeling of wind in their face and covering distances in much less time brings a sparkle to their eyes. At the same time, tumbles are a daily occurrence in this learning phase. Because their reactions are not yet perfectly tuned to the high speed, your child will frequently trip over small bumps.

Beyond pure motor skills, perception is also developing further. Your child learns to reassess distances at higher speeds. They must now make decisions much more quickly, such as dodging an obstacle or taking a turn. This rapid processing of sensory impressions is a remarkable achievement for the developing brain.

Typical timeframe

Motor development progresses at a unique rhythm for every child. Many children begin to increase their pace a few months after taking their first independent steps. Often, this fast trotting can be observed between 18 and 24 months of age.

It usually takes a bit more time until a fluid running style with the typical flight phase develops. Many children refine this ability well into their third year. Some children are naturally more cautious and take their time before speeding up, while others can hardly wait to dash off.

How to support your child

This new mobility brings a lot of joy but also requires an adapted environment and attentive guidance. With small adjustments in everyday life, you can wonderfully support this exciting phase.

Provide safe open spaces: Your child now needs room to act out their urge to move. Soft surfaces like grass in a meadow or fine sand at the playground are ideal for the first running attempts. Here, the ground softly cushions small falls, and your child can pick up speed without worry.

Choose the right footwear: Your child learns fine balance best barefoot or in non-slip socks. If outdoor shoes are necessary, models with a very soft and flexible sole are ideal. These allow the foot to roll smoothly and feel the ground.

Create playful incentives: Gentle games of tag bring huge joy at this age. Jog slowly in front of your child or open your arms so they can run toward you with full momentum. Such games build confidence in their own abilities.

Use obstacles as learning opportunities: As your child becomes more secure, slight variations in the terrain can be exciting. Gentle hills, uneven meadows, or soft mats indoors promote a sense of balance. Accompany your child attentively, but let them gather their own experiences with the surface.

Stay calm: When your child falls, try to react calmly. Gentle encouragement and brief comfort are often enough for them to get right back up and keep running. Your composure signals to your child that little stumbles are a perfectly natural part of learning.

When to talk to the pediatrician

Every child finds their own pace and style when learning to run. There is no need to rush if your child prefers to take things slowly. However, if you notice that your child consistently favors one leg while running, appears to be in pain, or if their gait seems highly asymmetrical, a brief conversation is helpful. The pediatrician can carefully observe the movement patterns and provide you with professional reassurance.