My Toddler Has an Awkward Running Gait
The short answer
Running starts around 18-24 months and initially looks quite awkward and uncoordinated. Toddlers typically run with a flat-footed stride, arms held out for balance, and limited coordination. A mature running pattern does not develop until age 3-4, so awkward running is completely normal for toddlers.
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By Age
What to expect by age
If your toddler is just starting to run, their "running" is essentially fast walking. They may totter, use their arms for balance, and look very unsteady. This is completely normal. True running with a flight phase (both feet off the ground) does not typically develop until around 18-24 months.
Early running at this age looks quite different from adult running. Expect wide legs, arms out for balance, flat foot landings, and frequent stumbles. Your toddler is learning to coordinate speed, balance, and direction all at once. Awkward running is the norm at this age.
Running should be becoming more coordinated, with better arm swing and fewer falls. However, running form at this age is still developing and may look clumsy compared to older children. If your child can run across a room without falling, stop and change direction, their running development is on track even if it looks a bit awkward.
By age 3-4, most children have a fairly coordinated running pattern. If your child's running still looks very awkward, involves a lot of tripping, or seems to be getting worse rather than better, mention it to your pediatrician. Some children benefit from physical therapy to improve coordination.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your toddler is under 3 years old and running looks stiff or uncoordinated.
- Your toddler's running is gradually improving over time.
- Your toddler runs with arms out for balance but is getting steadier.
- Your toddler can stop and change direction without always falling.
- Your child is over 3 years old and running still looks very awkward or clumsy.
- Your child falls frequently while running compared to peers.
- Your child's running involves unusual movements like head tilting or crossing legs.
- Running does not seem to be improving over several months.
- Your child's running has become worse or they have lost coordination they previously had.
- Your child has pain when running or refuses to run.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Physical Concerns
My Toddler Seems Very Clumsy
Clumsiness is extremely common and normal in toddlers. Their brains are still developing the neural pathways for coordination, spatial awareness, and balance. Most toddlers appear clumsy compared to older children. However, if clumsiness is persistent, severe, or worsening after age 3, it may be worth evaluating for developmental coordination disorder.
My Toddler Falls Down a Lot
Falling is a completely normal part of learning to walk and run, and most toddlers fall frequently in the first 6 months after they start walking. A new walker may fall dozens of times per day and that's expected. Falling typically decreases significantly by around 18-24 months of walking experience. It only becomes a concern if falling increases over time rather than decreasing, or if it seems out of proportion compared to peers.
My Toddler Trips and Falls Constantly
Frequent tripping and falling is extremely common in toddlers and is usually a normal part of development. Toddlers are still developing balance, coordination, and spatial awareness while moving at speeds their bodies are not quite ready for. Most toddlers become steadier by age 2-3, though some clumsiness is normal well into the preschool years.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.