Your toddler has been working hard to become more proficient with their walking and their movements are much more rhythmical and coordinated now that they have achieved more control over their large motor muscles. You may have noticed that your toddler is experimenting with changing direction and might be increasing their speed when walking.
Once your toddler has mastered walking, they develop control of their posture quite rapidly. [1] They are able to carry their own body and their head and neck are becoming aligned, meaning your toddler will look forward, and not down when they move. Their sensory and motor systems are working together to create more coordinated and precise movements [2]
When your toddler starts to develop the skill of running, there is a lot happening in terms of their gross motor movements. They may initially run for short periods of time whilst their body is learning how to coordinate the movements more gracefully. When a toddler first starts to run, their movements are drawn from the hip, knee and ankle. [3] Their running technique will be very similar to that of their first steps, with a wide gait, short strides and most likely a flat foot. Most toddlers will use their arms to balance as they run by lifting them higher than usually associated when running.
During this stage of development, your toddler’s legs will be growing much stronger. Each time they run, they need to be able to propel their body through the air whilst maintaining their balance. Their whole body weight must be carried on one leg whilst the other is in the air. Whilst all these skills are being developed, your toddler will most likely run in a straight line.
The development of their cognitive processes allows your toddler to make huge advances in their basic movement abilities. [2] It is thought that toddlers are capable of thinking about doing something before actually doing it, meaning that children of this age will be able to link choices to their developing locomotor skills. An example could be that if a toddler wishes to pick something up before someone else does, they will move more quickly in order to achieve this. [2]
Your toddler will fine tune their style of running and begin to lower their arms and move them in opposition with their legs. [3] Their muscles strength and balance will improve and you start to see them speeding up and experimenting with changing direction.
References:
[1] K.E. Adolph (2008) Article: Learning to Move. Current Directions in Psychological Science. PMC Published June 28th 2008. Available online at: Learning to Move (nih.gov)
[2] J. D. Goodway, J.C. Ozmun, D.L. Gallahue (2021) Understanding Motor Development Infants, Children, Adolescents, Adults. 8th Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
[3] V. Gregory Payne, L.D. Isaacs (2012) Human Motor Development A Lifespan Approach. McGraw-Hill