Children’s Podiatry
Peace of mind for parents
Development of gait (walking) in children
Parents often ask whether or not their child is walking “normally.” In the vast majority of cases where there is concern about a child’s gait, their gait pattern will be within normal development with no reason for concern. However, on occasion gait abnormalities are encountered which fall outside of what would be considered a ‘typical’ gait and may depend on the child’s age, medical history and family history. This is when specialist examination and gait assessment is essential to identify and diagnose gait dysfunction to ensure treatment is delivered early if required.
The components of typical gait in an older child (seven onwards) include:
- Musculoskeletal and neurological maturation
- Stability in standing
- Sufficient foot clearance
- Appropriate positioning of the foot for the initial contact of the next step
- Adequate step length
- Energy conservation
The above components of gait are very similar to those of an adult. However, in the toddler and younger child there is a great amount of variation in gait. What may be considered as abnormal may be a ‘typical’ gait pattern for a child of a certain age.
When your child reaches the milestone of walking it is quite an achievement! However, a child is not a smaller version of an adult and as such you cannot expect them to walk like an adult after just a few months of being on their feet. It takes years and lots of practice for a mature walking pattern to develop in a child. Typically, adult gait is present in children by about seven to eight years of age.
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The main factors essential for children when learning to walk and achieve a ‘typical’ gait pattern are co-ordination, an ability to learn and a ‘normal’ neurological and musculoskeletal system. The components of typical gait in young children (onset of walking to seven years) will vary and are very different to that of an adult. However, the majority of changes which include most gross motor skills are achieved by the age of seven in most children when there are no underlying factors that may impair the development of efficient gait.