My 24 month-old boy is spot-on with all of his milestones (physically, verbally, emotionally) but still isn't running. He'll speed walk, but isn't running yet. He does everything else very well. He was not a late-walker. Trying to see if anyone else had a late-runner. We are going to talk to his pediatrician at his 2 yr appt, but wanted to hear if others had a similar experience and what the outcome was. Thanks!!
Interesting question. I'm a long time SAHM of three and I honestly have NO idea when they started running. First teeth, first steps, potty training, weaning, first solid food, I remember all of that, but running? Not a clue. I guess I wasn't thinking about it, or paying attention. Sorry!
I am sitting here thinking how the heck can you tell. They don't exactly walk so much as waddle and fast waddling would be running but it isn't, still it wasn't until my kids were in school that they did anything I would call running.
I guess I don't actually consider this a milestone.
My son was late with running as well. He's an only and simply did not see the need to run! Plus he's quite tall for his age and (still) tends to trip over his feet :-) . We never went through the climbing the furniture hyper energy phase that a lot of boys go through. He is very mellow still, and is content to sit still and read, Build Legos etc. We tried soccer, basketball and baseball, but seriously, the running around just was not his thing. When I watched him I could almost see a thought bubble over his head that read: "And the point of all this is what, exactly?" Things are just now changing now that he's 8 and he's discovered that he really likes swimming. He joined the Y swim team and it's amazing to see him excited about a sport. Your son will catch up, especially when he has to keep up with other kids, or when he finds an activity that he really enjoys. All in all he may just be a bit more laid back. Enjoy that while you can!
My second did not "jump" on schedule. Our pediatrician consulted with a pediatric neurologist by phone and basically said he will eventually jump; he just might not be the most coordinated athlete out there:) He learned to jump soon after... my third was a late walker (15 months) and soon after learned to jump. They will all develop at their own pace. Don't worry!
I am sure he is just fine.
Is he an only child?
Does he have the opportunity to be around other children his age or older?
Our daughter really learned so much from daycare, she saw older children on the playground so she learned a lot of things that way. We also live in a neighborhood with tons of children that were her age.. This also was a way they all learned from each other.
I promise the minute he starts running, you are going to hope you can even keep up with him..
I HATE milestones. I mean, I think there should be something -- children should be walking by the time they turn 2, saying a few words by the time they turn 3, reading by 7 or so. If they consistently avoid eye contact, get them checked out. And that should be IT.
In other words, if a child is truly significantly late on something, parents should know. But it's hard enough to parent a toddler without this added, pointless anxiety. And that's what milestones provoke.
Your son sounds absolutely fine -- like a truly wonderful little boy. He IS going to start running at some point, and when he does it'll be a combination of a heart attack and a fitness regime for you -- because toddlers quickly get FAST. Enjoy your ability to catch him while you still can.
My own son was late with just about every milestone there was -- including but not limited to running. He never did anything the "What to Expect" books (which I HATE) said he should. His pediatricians kept saying, "Well, we'll keep an eye on him, but we're not worried yet." Which didn't stop me from worrying at all.
Today, he is 6 and in 1st grade. He reads at a 6th-grade level. He's been through all the Rick Riordan / Percy Jackson books many times over. Yesterday morning I talked with him about carrying -- as in, in multiple-digit addition, carry the 1. He preceded to add columns of numbers up until he got to the10s of billions. Never made a single mistake. However, he does have clinically low muscle tone. He is NOT an athletic kid. We make sure he's involved in plenty of physical fitness activities, but none of them competitive, so he doesn't feel shamed. You know when he first hopped on one foot? Yesterday [on Mother's Day :)]. Same day when he added numbers up to 20-billion-plus.
So, sorry to ramble on about my own kid. Your son is unique and like no other. He won't excel in every single area, but he'll keep finding areas of passion and fascination. And every time he does, he will amaze and astound you beyond all reckoning.
The running will come and before you know it he'll soon be faster than you are.
They gain a lot of confidence the more practice they get with all sorts of movement.
Kick a ball around with him in the back yard and just show him jumping (in or over puddles).
Once it gets hot outside you can set a sprinkler on the lawn and kids just seem to take to running through the sprinkler.
Jumping in bounce houses takes balance but they soon get the hang of it.
Somewhere between 2 and 3 the running just comes along and by 3 1/2 or pre-school they learn how to skip.
A tricycle or big wheels is less about balance but they get the muscles going and it helps towards the running.
Huh. I would have been grateful if my kids did not run. Running is not a milestone. Be careful what you wish for!
why do you want him to run? i mean this isnt a milestone i remember even thinking about or wanting. there were J. various speeds of walking until she full on ran, but i would assume if he can walk he will run eventually
My older grandson was two years old in January. He's never done the milestones "properly" (i.e., according to the books). He's one of those kids who takes his time - always has been, from day one. He walks beautifully, whether you want him to or not. He climbs on playground equipment, goes down slides, tries to go up slides - the whole nine yards. In my opinion, he'll start running before the middle of June - maybe even before the end of May. Then we'll be sorry we worried about him and we'll worry about where he has run instead.
As long as he is walking well, I don't know that I would have noticed.
You don't mention the size/proportion of your child. That does make a difference. A child that has slender legs is going to move more freely than a child with thick or chubby legs.
Has anyone ever shown him how to run?
Does he start to run and people keep telling him to walk?
There really are more factors than what you mention.
