At what age do children typically start to walk independently?

Prepare for the Pediatrics Examination and Assessment Questionnaire (EAQ) with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your knowledge and readiness for the exam with our engaging quiz!

Children typically start to walk independently around 12 months of age. This milestone signals the culmination of a series of developmental stages that include crawling, pulling up to stand, and cruising along furniture. By the time they reach their first birthday, most children have developed sufficient strength and balance to take their first unaided steps.

Walking is a significant indicator of a child’s gross motor development, reflecting not just physical readiness but also cognitive and sensory-motor integration. While it's normal for some children to walk a little earlier or later, the expectation is that by 12 months, a majority will have initiated independent walking. This timeline aligns with developmental guidelines provided by pediatric health organizations, which emphasize the range of 9 to 15 months for the onset of walking, with most achieving this skill around their first birthday.

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