At what age did your toddler start to run?

[MarionCole]

DS is 3.1 and does a rather amusing fast shuffle when he wants to get somewhere quickly. He can't run yet, although I know kids who are months younger who sprint away from their frantic mothers at some speed.

Now I had thought he was just being lazy and couldn't be arsed running when he didn't need to, but like a fool I have googled and 'normal' age seems to be around 2, so now I am fretting.

Sorry for the two threads.

Well I would be glad he can't run yet. My DS ran at about 18 months and was a nightmare!!!!

About 18 months. Craziness!

Now, you see, that was half of DS's life ago.

I'm worried that I should be worried.

He walked at 12 months, has just never got any faster. He's not great at jumping either.

My DS2 is 4.4 and only started proper fast running about 6 months ago. Before that, it was rather a shuffle as you describe and I could easily catch him by walking fast. Now I would have to run to catch him. He was also late jumping (3.6) and only in the last few months has he been able to jump off of an object of more than few inches high.

Different children different stages.
Whenever you google etc it will only give you the average.
Do you want your child to be average? Not at all.
Seriously. If you think it is an issue then double check with the GP. They will be able to assess the walk and check his hips. HV probably wont be much help to be honest.

I'm sure he is perfectly happy how he is.
Doesnt stop us worrying though does it?

Hmm, my ds does a cross between a run and a shuffle!

My ds also has to throw his shoulders back to keep the balance posture, he used to raise his hands above his head and wave them in the air, so he looked like he was doing an orangutang impression, most things work themselves out, but speak to your GP if you're worried.

If you want to help him with jumping, buy a trampoline??? It does help!

DTs started walking at 11 mo and just before 12 mo respectively and were running flat out about a month later. They are incredibly confident and coordinated physically, must admit.
I was a very early walker/runner as well according to Nanny, while my sister didn't walk until she was almost 2, never mind running. She is a million times better at all sports than yours truly though, so early walking etc obviously means zilch.

DS2 has been running since he was about 14 months and has also been jumping for about a monthe and is galloping around the living room as I type!. All of this is quite early, I think. I'm not telling you this to show off, but trying to say that although the majority of children do things at around the same time there are some children who do them considerably younger or but it doesn't make any difference in the long run.

DS is 3 and while he can run reasonably well as of the last couple of months, he still does this hilarious Peter-Kaye-esque theatrical fast walk with vigorous jogging-arm-motions. Very, very hard not to laugh lots.

I wouldn't be too worried, but that's what your HV or GP is there for if it's concerning you

My son started running at 11 months. At 11.5 months he was in A&E having his head stitched up. He was not stable enough on his feet to be running that young. As it turns out it was the first trip of many to have head wounds stitched...

Thanks for the replies, nice to know there is a balance. I quite like the trampoline idea, might try and find a cheapy little one. Don't have room for a proper one sadly. I might mention it to the GP next time we go.

11 months and has not stopped since then. There was only a very short period between him walking and running. Interestingly he jumped really late, only recently, just before his 3rd birthday.

dgs is 16 months and has been running for a couple of months now.