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Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

How can I get my toddler to walk more quickly?

20 replies

pozzled · 27/12/2010 19:16

DD is 2.4 and prefers to walk rather than going in the pushchair. I want to encourage her in this, as I'm expecting DC no2 in June and really would like her to stop using the pushchair by the time I need it for the baby.

The problem is it's just soooo slow trying to walk anywhere. Mostly because she has to examine every tree, stick, blade of grass etc etc. Any tips for speeding her up, or should I just get into the habit of allowing much, much longer to get anywhere?

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LeakMyWiki · 27/12/2010 19:17

Get a mini micro scooter, is my best tip.

whomovedmychocolate · 27/12/2010 19:17

Wait a few months. Seriously they all walk slowly till they are about three. But they can be bribed with 'when we get to that next lamp-post you shall have a button' etc.

westlake · 27/12/2010 19:18

stand at the other side of the room with a packet of chocolate buttons lol. Never fails here!

Seriously though, you need to go with the flow.....boring I know! But they soon get bored and get going

LeakMyWiki · 27/12/2010 19:20

I think the point is that toddlers aren't bored... which is why they are so slow. Every crack, dandelion, dog poo, train, leaf is absolutely fascinating...

SilveryMoon · 27/12/2010 19:20

Been there with my ds1. He is now 3.4yrs and is getting better.
I think you just need to allow it, let her enjoy her surroundings and learn about what is around her.
When you can, try to leave home earlier and talk to her about all the trees, insects, sticks etc and when she starts to doodle, say something like "yes, look at that ant running around on the ground. Shall we see what else we can find over here?"
She is still very young to be walking all the time, so just stick with it, lots of gentle encouragemet and she'll get there

mjinsparklystockings · 27/12/2010 19:23

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pozzled · 27/12/2010 19:36

Thanks all. She obviously is just a typical toddler, but it's reassuring to think that she'll improve with time! I just find it a bit frustrating, my natural walking pace is quite fast. I will try to adjust my expectations and allow more time.

OP posts:

SilveryMoon · 27/12/2010 19:43

I hate walking slowly. Sometimes, me and my 3yo will race.

PurpleMiffy · 27/12/2010 19:55

balance bike. Once he got the hang of it, best thing ever! I have to tell him to slow down now

SkyBluePearl · 27/12/2010 20:05

micro scooter (amazing!!) and a fruit flake every so often. set off extra early and allow time to be slow.

MistyB · 27/12/2010 20:09

A buggy board would be useful for when the baby arrives too.

whomovedmychocolate · 27/12/2010 20:43

Look at his legs compared to yours as well. One of your steps is like four of his.

mjinsparklystockings · 27/12/2010 20:56

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mjinsparklystockings · 27/12/2010 20:59

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MissFit · 27/12/2010 21:17

Mine is 3.5 and STILL walks slowly. She likes to balance along all the walls / curbs. If we take the micro mini scooter I end up carrying it AND walking slowly. Same with bike.

RhinestoneReindeerHerder · 27/12/2010 21:22

When you are heavily pg in the summer you will be v grateful for toddler meandering steps (speaking as someone who is normally a strider). I'm going through this with DD atm (just 2) as she loves to walk, but just can't keep up with me and DS. When DS is back at school I'm looking forward to some nice slow toddler walks gazing at every beetle as I know it doesn't last long.

Oh and on the scooter front DS got one for his 3rd birthday and it revolutionised being able to get places in a hurry, a great buy.

Wigeon · 27/12/2010 21:24

My DD is 2.6 and also inspects every bit of rubbish / garden wall / crack in the pavement when she is walking. Have just got a mini micro scooter for her as I am also expecting DC2 (in May) and don't want to get a double buggy either! Although I expect that sometimes when he / she is small DC2 will be in a sling and DD will be in the pushchair.

One thing which seems to be working at the moment is to say to her "can you touch something blue / wooden / a bus stop / the letter E" etc, that is, some object a few meters ahead of us. She races towards whatever it is (once she's worked it out). She is also really into reading individual letters and some numbers at the moment, so asking her to spot some letter or number on a parked car a few meters ahead also works.

Doesn't always work of course, but does at least sometimes!

victoriascrumptious · 28/12/2010 09:16

Regarding micro scooters:-how did you teach your dc to use one? My dd 2.5 seems to have no clue about how to steer the thing-which is understandable because you have to 'lean' to turn. Any tips?

MistyB · 28/12/2010 10:07

Micro scooter - the steering comes with time. 2.5 is young to manage that bit. We practiced in the house, child towed by adult and for a while, my DC's got off at corners and moved the scooter round.

PercyPigPie · 28/12/2010 19:49

You can't imho

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