What age to walk down stairs independently

[TeenAndTween]

DD2 is 10 and we are finally getting to see OT next week.
She still cannot walk down the stairs 'adult style' without using a bannister.

I can't find info on t'internet as to when this would 'normally' occur.

At what age could your child walk down the stairs alternating feet confidently without holding on to something?

I keep reminding her to use the bannister as it's safer!

I don't think it's physical restriction Chilling as if I hold her hand she can do it, so I think it is balance / confidence.

We always knew she was behind (prem, neglected, adopted, small for age) so never really worried too much as we thought she'd catch up and big sister seemed to struggle with things more, but when she got to 9 and she still couldn't do stairs it kind of hit us.

Sound like most 6/7 year olds can do this though, so it's 'worse' than I thought.

Yes they could both run up stairs by 4.(Wouldn't they need to this to function in reception eg: in p.e?)

Sorry just saw it was going down I'd still say by 5 though

Most 3 year olds can do this
At work we have a bog wooden slide with a platform and wooden steps. Most of them can walk up and down using alternate feet , usyally carrying armsfull of toys

Walking downstairs is harder than going up. And even in Reception children are told to go carefully on the stairs, hold the rail etc.

big :)

Still Upstairs is much easier though. 2 feet on a step is easier too.
In Reception teacher requested permission to refer as she said DD was most wobbly in class despite being the eldest.

I'd like to know downstairs just like an adult no bannister

Yes, alternating feet and no bannister.

He's fearless - I do prevent him from doing it on his own but he is physically able.

x-post

I have a couple of friends with dyspraxia, and dance classes have really helped their coordination, awareness and confidence. Might be worth looking into?

Are they child-size steps insancerre? Alternating feet, unsupported and carrying objects sounds very physically advanced.

(Off to cook tea, will be back)

I'm not 100% sure when Ds1 started being able to do this, but he's not quite 7 and can definitely do it now.

Hollie despite being told not to about a billion times the 3 yo here comes downstairs, one step at a time (like an adult) laden with toys, he's more likely to go two feet on one step if he's been told to hold the banister, but I'm sure that's more to do with 'training' than 'ability'. Going up is harder, but he can still do it.

Dd has been able to run up and down stairs one foot on each step since last year (3). Gives me the heebie jeebies and I constantly tell her to hold onto the banister and not run, petrified in case she falls! Ds can't even manage going upstairs one foot on each step though, he's 3yo. Still two feet on each step, holding onto the banister and my hand

My 6 year old uses alternate feet.

I was just thinking about this today.

DS2 is 7 and still cant do this. We were in London today and he still walks so slowly down the tube stairs because of this. It isn't really that noticeable in day to day life ( single floor school, tends to bum shuffle down stairs at home, or jump ( 2 footed)

He has a genetic disorder, but don't know if this is linked. He can do other balance things fine ( rode a bike at 5, scooters fine, plays football, swims etc) so don't know how worried to be. His handwriting is shocking.

OP- Do you have other concerns re the OT referral or is it just the stairs thing?

(should say that the reason they were checking DD2 is that she has a genetic syndrome and as part of that has malformed balance organs on both sides. She could do it now at nearly 4, though, I think (although I tell her to hold on))

Ds is 2.5 and can do this - alternate feet, not holding on and (usually) carrying stuff too.... I keep shouting "on your bum!" At him, because he fell down the full set a few months ago and terrified me.

DS is 8 and while I haven't checked his technique he can certainly come downstairs in a variety of death defying ways

I think the little one (6, very small for age) can do it - I'll have a look and let you know.

Sorry, haven't read the whole thread as I'm in a hurry but have a relative who was also prem and has mild hemiplegia. He has never been too good with stairs and he assumed it was a balance/coordination thing. In his late teens it was discovered he hardly uses one of his eyes and therefore has trouble with depth perception. I am shortsighted and don't like going down stairs that I don't know because looking down your glasses tend to slide a bit, so you see some of the stairs through the glasses and some with your own crappy eyesight so it's very confusing.

So after all this, all I wanted to ask is wether you've had her eyesight checked recently, especially for depth perception.

hollie84 yes they are child sized steps

I assume the milestone question is about full-sized steps, though -- doing it on child-sized steps is necessarily a lot easier.

My DS is 2 years and 10 months and he can do alternating feet without holding onto the bannister