Your child walks around on their toes \u2014 what\u2019s the big deal, anyway? Toe walking is fairly common in children who are just learning to walk, but most kids naturally outgrow it. While you shouldn\u2019t be worried if your child walks on their toes when learning to walk, you should start being concerned if they continue this walking pattern after three years old. Here\u2019s what you should know about toe walking in children and how to navigate it:<\/p>\n
There are many reasons a child isn\u2019t walking in the regular heel-to-toe pattern. Young children learning to walk will typically use toe walking because it helps them maintain their balance and stability. Some children stick to this walking pattern because they\u2019ve grown comfortable with it, and it becomes a pattern.<\/p>\n
Other kids walk on the balls of their feet because their Achilles tendons are too short or tight. If the Achilles tendon is too short, the child could have issues physically placing their heel on the floor. Children could opt to walk on their toes because their calf muscles, hip flexors, and hamstrings are too tight. Hypermobile children may also toe walk because they deem it more comfortable.<\/p>\n
Toe walking has been linked to cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and autism. It\u2019s important to note that if your child is toe walking, that doesn’t necessarily mean there are underlying conditions!<\/p>\n\n