Walk a bit, sit a bit – building strength in manageable chunks

What to try 

• Encourage your toddler to walk as much as possible when you are at home.  
• It might take a little longer than usual when walking from room to room, but your toddler will get used to walking on different flat surfaces while in a safe space. 
• If you are out in the pushchair or pram, stop from time to time and lift your toddler out. Encourage them to walk for some of the journey. 
• When you notice their legs are getting tired, pop them back into their pushchair.  
• If you are out for quite a while, perhaps lift your toddler out more than once. 

Good to know 

Some toddlers love to sit in their pushchair, while others are eager to walk and develop their independence. You might decide to limit the number of times your toddler gets in and out if you know they won’t want to sit down after a walk. If this is the case for your toddler, think about taking them out towards the end of the walk, or at other times so they can get the enjoyment and practice of stepping out in a larger space.