I need some tips on getting Darah to transition from 2-3 independent steps to actual walking!! Her developmental pediatrician, physical therapist, and developmental specialist all say that she's strong enough, has the balance needed, but not the "want-to."

What she'll do is take 2-3 steps (sometimes up to 4), interupt her great action to sit down and clap for herself and say "AAAYYY DAY-UH!!" ("Yay Darah") It's stinking cute!

Any tricks to keep her from being her biggest fan so early?? I'm so proud of her and everything she's doing though. She's so much fun!!

"AAAYYY DAY-UH!!" is right! What a great job! When Kennedy was at that stage, we held her FAVORITE cookie in front of her and she just walked to it. And that was it, she started walking all over the place!

So good to hear about Darah! I feel like I haven't seen an update in awhile! Give her a HUGE smooch from Kennedy!

have you tried putting something at a distance like a favorite toy/snack on
the couch or something like that and maybe she will go the distance if she sees it instead of stopping half way to cheer - that has got to be so cute though (her stopping to cheer). or even a push toy - will she go longer pushing something - maybe that will help get her going longer when she's walking and not pushing. sorry i'm not much help - hope she gets to strolling further and further real soon, aj

We are in exactly the same spot with Avery. I've tried everything and he just won't go. I am learning a whole new meaning to patience...(mine, not his.) Just wanted you to know I feel your frustration!!!

Our Anna finally just went when I put her down on the floor of a big office building lobby and there was nothing in her way or to grab onto. It was almost as if before that she could only imagine going the couple of steps to a piece of furniture or someone's hands. As soon as she realized she could just keep going, she did. It will come when she is ready in her mind to do it.

Yay Darah!! I was going to suggest the cookie or favorite snack too. It sounds like she is well on her way to walking and she just needs to get a little more confident with it. Does she walk well enough when you hold her one hand? Maybe you could do more of this when going room to room or walking outside.

I am sure you have done this already, however, have you tried patterning? I pattern with all of my kids literally up until the day they are walking independently. I do it even if they take a few steps out, like three. With the encouragement like others have said of a cookie. Then I follow that effort up with patterning of 10 steps or more. If you have not patterned or have stopped, you can start now. For me, I have found until they are walking independently it is never too long to do this. I have a mat, but you could draw foot prints on a long butcher block piece of paper, and then she can walk on those, with you patterning. Patterning OVER and OVER until you are about to fall over. That is my little secret to all of my kids walking. And crawling for that matter. My pt agreed. So, I don't know.

I anyone does not know what patterning is, it is when you take the child's legs, hold them near the ankle brace their body behind them, and walk their legs for them. I use it for crawling, climbing steps, writing, you name it. We pattern it, until they can do it. It is tiring, so if you can have someone else pattern for you, when you can't, that is great. Good luck. She will take off before you know it. The funny thing, my kids all enjoyed this when I did it with them. I think it is comforting too, cuz you are working with them, real close on a big milestone. I had all early walkers, so it might be what worked.

These are all great suggestions! I will try the patterning today with her. We've tried holding a cookie in front of her, but she refuses to walk and crawls or gives up on the cookie. I've also put her mini-dvd player out and pushed pause (she knows to go push play) trying to get her to walk to that without any luck.

She's very stubborn, (go figure) and won't hand-hold walk for anything. She also won't do a push-toy at all anymore, unless all the moons are in alignment! LOL!! I'm glad to say I'm not "urgent" about it, even though I'd like her to walk soon. With everything that's been going on lately, walking seems like small potatoes right now, but I do want to encourage her to do it soon for her own sake!

Okay, I am going to add one more thing to our patterning ritual we do. I also rub my kids legs, talk about how they work, and rub their feet before we start each patterning session. I know that sounds funny, but awareness of their legs before we start always seemed to make a difference. She may resist the patterning because she has not been doing it, but start small, pattern 2 or three. Add more through out the day. Count while you pattern. Make it fun. Get some music going. Make it fun, not a chore. KWIM. That is where the paper comes in. Draw foot prints, color them and have her "count" them while she walks. Of course you are counting the foot prints.

Okay, sorry,I will stop now, I just love to do these things with kids, and it is so fun to see them have fun with it, and have it actually pay off. Of course, I am mindful you have a little belly that makes it harder, so do it as often as your own body, and she will let you.

When Avery was at that stage, I found it helpful to take her to wide open spaces. We would drop Mackenzie off at school and then we would stay to walk. She found so many new things to get to that she just went for it. She also found a lot of joy following the dogs around and also big sister was a huge help. Mackenzie made all kinds of chase games and sang songs while they walked. She really helped to make it fun! I am so glad to hear about Darah moving along so beautifully. It is nice to hear about that sweet little girl! Hugs and kisses from Avery!

Is she musically motivated???? When I was trying to get Sadie to walk.. we would only let her turn on the CD player if she would try to walk a to us. We kept stepping back a little (to encourage her to go farther) and turning off the music when she sat down. Before I knew it, I would catch her in the playroom turning on the music and walking, dancing and singing all by herself.

I haven't read all the suggestions, but for Angela patterning with bells on her shoes worked FANTASTIC! She LOVED the sound of those bells!

Help, I am not getting this patterning stuff. Diane, can you explain it again? If you hold their feet, what are they doing with their body? I can't get a visual in my head of what to do? Is Daniel too young to start this, does he have to be taking independent steps before you can pattern?

Daniel will take steps if his hands are held, but like Darah loves to sit on his behind and clap for himself!! However, he doesn't have the balance necessary to walk independently just yet....but hopefully soon because he is getting HEAVY.

Lisa, Perfect time for this. When you are with him, simply stand behind him. Put your body to his back closely. Put your hands around his heals and ankles, gently but with confidence, kwim. Then move his feet in a walking motion. Do this frequently throughout the day. When he really shows signs of strength in his legs especially. You know, pulling up on the couch should be enough of an indicator. Just "walk" his legs for him, with your support behind him. I have done this with crawling too. Same concept, just move the legs and arms. Pattern it like they are doing it, over and over. Boring, yes. Security, and confidence building yes also. I do not know if it makes a difference, but I do it with everything, writing as well. I sit behind my kids, hold the pencil in their hand, they feel that same support as they did with the walking, and then when I see they don't need it anymore, I just sit behind them and cheer them on. It is labor intensive, but I love to do it, and somehow, I do believe it is a part of why they move along with what they do. That simple guidance and that movement over and over. It takes less time with my typical kids, but it worked as well with MaryEllen with crawling, climbing stairs, walking and coloring. It may be a coincidence in our family, but I will not stray from this part of our life for two reasons. One, it seems to work. Two, it is such great one on one time with my kids, no matter what they are learning. As they get older, I don't go behind them, but follow it through next to them. Right or wrong, I thought I would share. I hope this helps make what we do, a bit clearer. God bless.

Sorry, as for the body, it is in a walking postion, cuz your body is behind him acting like a board, keeping him upright. I will try to video tape us and put it on here, although I may need to use one of my older kids, as I do not know that MaryEllen will comply with the walking patterning now that she is so independent. But I will try. Blessings.

McKenna, Aleena had months of little short bouts of walking - it was driving me crazy because she could DO it - she just didn't chose to! Kinda like Darah! Our situation was kind of unique though, the day she had eye surgery, she walked and has never stopped! So obviously, there was a vision issue. I'm looking forward to hearing how the patterning goes for you. Try to be patient, it will happen when you least expect it. I ditto the ideas of big open spaces, though! Big open spaces just make kids want to GO! Good luck!

Oh how sweet, I needed that smile thank, you brightened my day.

How is she if you hold her hand? Do you think this might help or maybe once your hand is removed she will just go straight back to being her biggest fan. Sweet.

You just described Grady to a T, up until a few weeks ago. For MONTHS now, his PT has been saying that he has all the skills he needs to walk, all the strength, everything. In fact, I think she was getting a little discouraged because there was nothing left to "teach" him. He new it all, just wouldn't do it. She did say that there is nothing you can do. The kids are gonna walk when they're ready, and not a second before.

All of the sudden, while I was in the hospital having Hailey, Grady just decided he was ready. Now, he walks all over the place like he's been doing it for years. And his mobility is so awesome. He gets up and down, starts, stops, turns both direction, walks forwards, backwards, sidesways, and can climb stairs!! We don't even have stairs in our house!! I just discovered he could do this at my parents house.

It's like he was saving it all up. The best advice I can give is patience. Which I know is next to impossible with this big milestone. I finally just had to say, "he'll do it when he's ready". I was driving myself crazy otherwise.

Good Luck and I agree "AAAAYYYYY DAY-UH"

Yeahh!!! WTG!

We had to use patterning for Clara for rolling and sitting up, but I didn't
know it had a name. It just felt like what she needed and it worked great. I'm already trying it for crawling and to get her used to bearing and transfering weight on her feet. She's also Miss Independent and doesn't like to be guided too much. Sometimes instead of moving her legs I put my hand behind her and she moves in the direction I guide her so she can get away from my help! I love her stubborn streak but it does slow her down at times. I can't tell you how many times a day I say "let Mommy do it please" or "It's Mommy's turn."

Maybe try playing at chasing her and trying to get her to chase you. Once she catches on she'll probably think it's hysterical.