Toddler walking safety
Once your toddler learns to toddle and walk there’s no stopping him and he will relish his new found freedom.
Don’t be surprised if he suddenly breaks into a run when he discovers he can get to places faster that way. When this happens you need to be careful he understands things like road safety and staying on the sidewalk at all times. The last thing you want is an excited toddler dashing into the road. Here's some gurgle advice for toddler walking safety:
- Make sure he knows which areas he is and isn’t allowed to run in – for example, running is fine in the yard or the park, but not while you walk by a road.
- If he has a penchant for running ahead, you may need to get a toddler harness to keep him safely near you. Otherwise, suggest that he can only walk as far as the next tree, where he has to wait for you – and keep him in your field of vision the whole time.
- Set a good example by always crossing the road in safe places and not jaywalking.
- Teach your child from an early age about hidden entrances and concealed roads.
By the time he reaches two years old he will be able to play running games and climb and jump from things. Again, you’ll need to set some new ground rules:
- Make sure he knows he is not allowed to jump from anything that moves, such as a swing, merry-go-round or ride-on toy like a trike.
- He may enjoy jumping on and off furniture, so make sure bookshelves and other heavy furniture cannot topple over by securing them to the walls. Let him know his limits, he is not allowed to climb on the coffee table or on the kitchen worktop for example.
- Make sure chairs he can climb onto are not placed by open windows, cabinets he can reach, or by stairwells with drops below them. He will explore and climb anything that looks fun.
By the time he reaches three he should be a pretty proficient walker, runner, jumper and can probably weave in and out of trees at the park. You can encourage him to do activities like balancing games – ask him to stand on one leg and see how far he can count up to. He will be able to hop, skip and play playground games that involve all manner of actions to strengthen his growing limbs.
Speak to other parents about how they deal with toddler walking safety by posting a comment on our chat section. Alternately, post a question to our team of experts on our answers page.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.