{"id":1564,"date":"2022-10-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ati.local\/?p=1564"},"modified":"2024-12-17T18:10:47","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T18:10:47","slug":"why-do-kids-walk-on-their-toes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atipt.com\/why-do-kids-walk-on-their-toes\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do kids walk on their toes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reviewed and contributions made by Anne Kender, PT, DPT, c\/NDT and Pediatric Physical Therapist<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

When a child learns to walk, instinctively, they will begin walking with their feet flat on the ground. As they practice, it\u2019s not uncommon for them to move back and forth between toe walking and walking heel to toe. But if your child is still toe walking after the age of two, it\u2019s recommended to talk to your pediatrician. They may then recommend seeing a physical therapist if toe walking persists.<\/p>\n

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Get Your Free Physical Therapy Screening<\/h2>\n

Want to discover how you or your child can benefit from physical therapy for toe walking? Get a free screening and let us help you start the path to recovery today.<\/p>\n

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Why do some children toe walk?<\/h2>\n

There are several reasons that children begin walking on their toes. Simply put, some children may feel more stable on their toes than walking heel to toe. If sensory reasons are the cause, the child may have difficulty tolerating pressure through their heels. They may also prefer the sensations they receive from their joints locking out. Another reason a child may walk on their toes is due to a lack of range of motion in their calf muscles (gastrocs).<\/p>\n

When to see a specialist<\/h2>\n

As your child\u2019s coordination and muscles develop, they will begin walking with a flat foot\/mid-foot contact. On average, this starts around 18 months of age. According to our pediatric physical therapist, Anne Kender: \u201cIf your child still walks on their toes beyond age 2-3, it’s recommended that you talk to your pediatrician.\u201d While many children outgrow this condition, toe walking can be a sign of a neurological disorder, like cerebral palsy.<\/p>\n

What are the long-term effects of toe walking?<\/h2>\n

As you can imagine, toe walking places a great load on the muscles and tendons. Many children who walk on their tiptoes once they become independent may develop foot deformities. This may occur as early as the age of four. These children may demonstrate:<\/p>\n