Could Babies Who Walk Early Be Destined For Success?

If your baby is quick to take their first steps, it's probably a great source of pride for you. But it may also predict more parental pride down the road. Some studies suggest that babies who walk earlier than expected may have superior memory, attention, and social skills as children than babies who hit this gross motor milestone later.

Most babies take their first steps between 12 and 15 months. By 18 months, 75% of children are walking independently. Some babies, however, walk as early as 8 months. In research that looks at large groups of babies, those who are toddling by around 10 months are categorized as early walkers.

How—and why—do these precocious explorers seem to fare better as they get older? And are there any dangers to a baby walking too early? Here is what you need to know about early walkers and important guidance about not rushing the process.

What Are the Benefits Early Walking?

Coordination is connected to other developing skills, and babies who are late bloomers in one area may have challenges in another. Infants who take their first steps after 18 months may be at higher risk for delays in fine motor skills, balance, attention, and visual perception when they reach school age. It's sometimes (but not always) the case that these children may need extra support as they grow.

Research also supports the corollary idea: That babies who are quick to develop gross motor skills may have above-average abilities in some other areas later in life. A study of 599 children in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that babies who stand and walk on the early side have higher cognitive test scores at age 4.

"Our findings are consistent with those of longitudinal studies performed a few decades ago, showing that the age a child achieved major milestones of standing or walking were predictors of later child performance in memory," says Akhgar Ghassabian, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and lead author of the study.

Other research suggests that early walkers learn language more quickly. Scientists observe that communication between babies and parents—everything from pointing to talking—is enhanced once a child begins to walk. In capturing their parents and caregivers' interest with their newfound ability, babies generate positive attention that seems to accelerate their verbal development.

While some research has uncovered a potential relationship between early walking and cognitive ability later in life, experts still don't fully understand the link. The research is imperfect, and the results are mixed. For example, a small study conducted by the Swiss National Science Foundation also looked at whether or not early walking could predict intelligence. What they found was that there was no connection between early walking and coordination or intelligence later in life.

Are There Dangers of Walking Too Early?

So, if walking early may predict greater cognitive ability in early childhood, should you encourage your child to walk sooner? The answer is probably no. In fact, rushing a child into walking before they are ready can come with real risks and little to not benefits.

Some doctors say that early walking may predispose a child to Blount's disease, a condition in which the legs are bowed outwards. Indeed, walking before 12 months is an independent risk factor for the condition. However, the exact cause of Blount's disease remains unknown, and doctors aren't likely to worry about an early walker unless they start showing signs of leg bowing.

What can be detrimental to your baby's health is rushing your baby toward walking—or any other milestone. After a rash of injury reports, the AAP called for a ban on baby walkers that some parents use to help nudge a child toward their first steps faster.

Parents are often keenly aware of their children's milestones and stages, which can be helpful in spotting any potential deviations from typical development, but it's important to remember that no one marker such as early walking can accurately predict a child's future.

If you are concerned that your child is walking "too early" or "too late," talk to your child's doctor before intervening. They are trained to identify whether your child is hitting their milestones at a pace that makes sense for them and will give you smart guidance for nurturing safe, healthy movement.