Quick straw poll - is there any correlation between early walking and being sporty?

[bluenosesaint]

My dd3 has just started taking her first independant steps. She is 9 months.

According to a family member, this means that she will be sporty - i remain a little at that, lol.

I have a dd1 who took her first steps at 10.5 months and walked at 11 months and a dd2 who took her first steps at 11.5 months and walked at 12 months. Now out of the two, my dd2 is more sporty up to now (rode a bike earlier, learned to swim earlier, etc) although dd1 has her own sport which she excels at, she doesn't do well in other sports for example, she can't run to save her life, lol.

So the theory doesn't really work with my eldest two. What are your experiences? Does early walking = sporty children?

Just curious

Well, my friends DD started walking at 9mths, and she is fab at all sports, dancing, etc. Like her parents! My DD walked at 10mths and is good at gym, swimming, ice skating, but my son who walked at 12mths is a natural at all sports, like his dad!

So perhaps its a hereditory thing then ...

No. My ds walked at 20 months (middle one of three bum-shufflers, all late walkers) and at 8 is never still, runs like greased lightning, swims, cycles, plays cricket and rugby all with the stamina of the duracell bunny.

Bolleaux in my experience. Sounds as though your family member desperately wants to start a G&T thread!

both dcs walked at 9 months
ds (8)- loves swimming, cycling, rugby, footbal etc

dd(6)- is a bit lazy, and would sit in front of the tv til she drools if i let her

My brother walked at 8 months. He is the least sporty person I know.

You did ask if there was any correlation, so I'd say there's bound to be a slight correlation as children with real motor problems will tend to walk late and won't be destined to be sporty. But there's going to be so many exceptions that it's not really very helpful and I'd say it's really way to early to begin planning your dd3's sporting career . I expect the family member probably didn't mean it all that seriously in any case - it's just something to say to compliment your child.

Primula - thank you for that insightful comment. Thankfully she has no desire to have G&T family members and was merely telling me ^her theory ...

This was not meant to be scientific, nor g&t

Apologies if i misunderstood your inferences ...

Thats what i thought snorkle, well a compliment to my dd and to her early walking (8 months) son ...

Bluenose - that's OK then!

Sorry - I have an aunt who regularly pronounces on the varied G&T of her grandchildren whilst they are still babies! (My own babies never attaining desired standards of course! )

DD1 walked independently at 9m and at 4 moans when she has to walk to the bus stop

IMO no no
ds1 walked at 9 mths.
a less sporty child you could not find.

Tried to find any evidence on the web either way and came up with the following...

From this article ...

"Actually, the timing of when a child starts walking doesn't mean very much in terms of the child's later development. Some children who are very early walkers, and who were ahead of their peers in strength and coordination all through infancy, might have a leg up when it comes to later athletic performance. But there are plenty of very athletic kids who walked at the usual time or even a bit late."

And from telegraph article about a boy who walked at 6 months ...

"However, Dr Ward-Platt said early walking had more to do with brain development and co-ordination. He also said that it did not necessarily point to other advanced development in social, vocal or other skills."

So, it does seem early walking 'may' indicate superior co-ordination, but that some well co-ordinated kids have other agendas and walk later too.

I'm sure I read a study of top footballers once and their average age of walking was lower than the national average, but as always with statistics it DOESN'T APPLY TO INDIVIDUALS.

telegraph link

Nope.

ds1 walked at 12 months and hasn't got one single sporting bone in his body.

ds2 walked at 16 months and has amazing natural abilty at all sports.

ds3, who is half ds1s age is better at sports then his biggest bro.

ds2 was riding hsi bike without stabilisers a long time before ds1...so for us its utter crap.

ds1 is by far the most acedemic though...he soutshines the others by miles at the same ages.

I do know a girl who walked at 9 months and ended up being a very talented gymnast. But OTOH, my BF in school walked at 9 months and she and I were dreadful at sports!

Well, I apparently walked at 8 1/2 months, and my sister at 8 months, and we are the biggest (literally in my case!) couch potatoes you have ever met

my eldest walked early and although he likes being outdoors he hates all sport especially team sport

DS2 walked later and he is up for anything that involves balls!!!

My DS walked at 10 months not particularly sporty but has very strong legs and a very powerful breaststroke kick, but so does DD who walked at a more average 13months.

no.

i walked age 22 months.

i danced ballet for 12 years and have been athletic ever since.

the world champion male figure skater Scott Hamilton walked so late he was put into skating at the age of 3 as therapy to assist his balance.

I wouldn't think there was a link. DH walked at 9 months and hates anything remotely sporty. Doesn't even watch sports on the tele! (I know, i'm lucky!)

Not going by my early walking prowess!

I walked at 8 months 4 days which is very early and I'm the least sporty person you will ever meet. I can hardly get up off the sofa.

My dd2 walked at 10 months and she's not particularly sporty, though nor is she a couch potato.
DD1 walked at 12.5 months and she's the same.

Ds just started walking at 11 months, so too early to tell at the mo.