When can a toddler start walking down stairs 'normally'

[Littlef00t]

My dd is 16 mo and we taught her to come downstairs backwards as it were, facing up the stairs.

A couple of times she has turned around and held the banister and taken steps downstairs.

I've turned her back round as it looks so unsafe but wondered how old your kids were when you didn't worry any more.

[ch1134]

We started with walking forwards, normally. it looked safer to me for him to learn about stairs as they are. Otherwise what happens when you're outside, or in a dept store etc?
When we went on holiday with my sister, she kept turning him around and he would stretch out and speed down. Terrifying! My son is now 18 mo and can use the stairs with banisters inside and out by himself.

[mumofboyo]

I think, with both mine, I got them to walk downstairs the proper way as soon as they were walking steadily on their feet. I used to get them to hold onto the bannister and I'd walk backwards in front of them whilst holding their other hand, encouraging them to watch their step. By the time they were 2 they were able to walk downstairs safely, confidently and independently (though I didn't let them do so unsupervised until around 2.5).

[Littlef00t]

Ok, thanks. I'll start teaching her forwards so she knows how to do it safely seeing as she is keen to do it.

[MioNome]

DS1 is just 3yo and its only in last couple months thst I'm happy with him going up and down by himself unsupervised

[K8eee]

dh started showing dd how to do it when she was confidently walking. he showed her a couple of times and now loves walking up and down the stairs at any given chance. we still have a stair Gate at the bottom of the stairs though, I darent let her go up on her own as she's had a few minor trips over the odd step every now and again. I guess if they seem ready then give it a go good luck!