A Parent’s Guide to Toddler’s First Steps

September 05, 2025, Rachel Adetayo

There’s nothing quite like watching your little one take their very first steps. I know this milestone is one of the most exciting moments in parenthood. The truth is, every child develops at their own pace. Some toddlers are walking by 10 months, while others may wait until closer to 15 months or beyond. Both are perfectly normal. What matters most is creating an environment that encourages exploration, independence, and confidence.

Supporting Those Wobbly First Steps

When toddlers start to pull themselves up and cruise along furniture, they’re building the strength and coordination needed for walking. Here’s how you can help:

Barefoot is best indoors. Toddlers grip better and strengthen their foot muscles without shoes at home.
Safe spaces to explore. Clear away sharp corners, cords, or small objects that could be tripping hazards. A safe, open play area allows them to move freely.
Encourage practice, not perfection. Celebrate those wobbles and falls, they’re part of learning balance. Falling is just another way of building strength and resilience.
Offer sturdy support. Low furniture, learning towers, or even a parent’s steady hands nearby can provide just enough balance without doing the work for them.

The Montessori Approach to Walking

In the Montessori philosophy, we guide children rather than push them. Walking isn’t something we teach, it’s something children teach themselves when given the right environment.

Montessori encourages:

Independence: Allow toddlers the freedom to practice at their own pace.
Prepared Environment: Provide sturdy, child-sized furniture and safe tools that support natural movement.
Confidence Building: Instead of holding their hands constantly, let them experiment with standing and taking steps, cheering them on from nearby.

One wonderful tool in this stage is the balance beam. It’s low to the ground and helps toddlers develop coordination, spatial awareness, and confidence in a fun, safe way. Watching your child beam with pride as they master walking across is pure joy.

Activities to Encourage Walking Skills

Toddlers learn through movement and repetition. Here are a few Montessori-friendly activities to try:

Push Toys or Wagons: A sturdy push toy (not a flimsy walker) gives toddlers something to lean on as they practice steps.
Climbing and Crawling Games: Let them climb over soft cushions or crawl through tunnels. These strengthen the muscles needed for walking.
Follow the Leader: Walk slowly around the room and let them imitate your movements.
Balance Beam Practice: A low wooden balance beam gives toddlers a safe way to experiment with shifting weight from one foot to the other, building stability.

Red Flags to Watch For

While every child grows differently, it’s wise to check in with your pediatrician if by 18 months your toddler isn’t showing interest in standing or cruising, or if you notice stiffness or unusual movements. Trust your instincts, you know your child best.

Cherish the Journey

Those tiny, unsteady steps soon turn into running, jumping, and endless adventures. Take it slow, keep your phone handy for those precious videos, and most importantly soak in every moment.

At Mommy’s Little Helper Co., we design play furniture and learning towers to support your child’s milestones the Montessori way, safe, durable, and built for confidence.

Browse our collection of Montessori-inspired furniture to create a safe, nurturing space where your toddler can thrive. Shop now.