Toddler walks on tiptoes?

Question

I have a 2 year old who walks on his tiptoes all the time, with or without shoes. If I ask him to walk correctly, he will for a bit but once he stops concentrating on it and focuses on something else,he reverts back to tiptoe again. He has no developmental delays, he is actually ahead. I.E.- knows all colors and shapes, visual and vocal recognition up to 30, 1-10 in German, visual and vocal recognition of abc's, speaks in 8-15 word sentences, has a large vocabulary probably close to 400 words and also uses big words like dangerous, disappeared, obviously, communicate..

People stop me all the time and ask if I have consulted the pediatrician because of his walking like that, saying that he could have a problem. I personally don't think that he does, he is a very active little boy and has no physical problems. Does/did your toddler do this? Did he/she eventually grow out of it? I'm just really tired of people bothering me about it! *Should* I be concerned about it?

Answer 1

my son is 4 and when he was 2 he constantly walked on his tip toes, there was nothink medically wrong with him. He is alot better, but very rearly when in his bare feet he will still walk on his tip toes. I wouldnt tell him to stop, he will do that on his own.  

Answer 2

I would let it go. My son does  some funny stuff too, but he eventually grew out of it. If you it's a problem, like he gets tierd easily or not running or playing then be concerned. Have you tried asking him why he walks like that? If  he has and extensive vocab he can maybe let you in on this

Answer 3

I think it may be an OT issue that needs to be addressed. I would take him to early intervention and have them do an OT assessment. they will let you know if it is not something you need to be concerned about, and it does not cost you a thing. It sounds like he really does not know why he toe walks...and it concerns me that he can only walk flat-foot when he is concentrating. I know I saw a catalog that had some light weights made for putting across the arches on a toe walker's foot. the pressure helps them learn how to walk correctly.

I wish I had gotten my son checked for his speech delay when I first became concerned when he was 18 months old. Instead it was 24 months old...and 27 months when he started therapy.

Answer 4

A friend of mine's son walks on his tiptoes all the time.  He is 4 and has done it as long as I can remember.  My friend was told to just remind him to walk correctly b/c it's not good for his legs to walk like that.  I don't recall why though.

Answer 5

my baby girl started walking like this and she dose it from time to time .. but not any more and she is almost 20 months ... but to tell you the truth to do it when he lost concentration .. remember that it's his foot so maybe it have nothing to do with the development maybe it's just a nervs thing .. i'd visit a doctor .  

Answer 6

Hello, I had this problem when I was little, we went to see my doctor who told me to walk across the room on my heels to check my balance i think an then told my parents i would grow out of it, and I did.

I hope this helps. :D  

Answer 7

I did this for the longest time when I was younger.  Being a dancer did not help lol but i eventually grew out of it.  The weird thing was, i ony did it barefoot, and mostly in the bathroom.  If he is barefoot a lot, and doesn't like the feeling of the floor (like if it is cold or he is afraid it is dirty when it isn't) he could get into the habit and end up walking like that even when he has shoes on. That's what i did, and i still do that in the morning when the bathroom floor is cold! ;)  Don't worry about it.

Answer 8

Sounds like my son.  This is a trait that is actually very characteristic of kids with autism/asperger's.  If your child is using words that seem 'big' for his age but his social use of language seems off.. this will become readily apparent in a room full of other two year olds.. does he show you things? Does he read your facial expressions pretty well?  Does he notice when other people/children come into a room?  Does he call you by name like "Look Mommy!"  Or does he repeat things to himself a lot, seem preoccupied, not play with his toys as toys but more as tools?  Seems to catalog information but maybe have difficulty following instructions?    I guess I could ask a lot of things.. but when my son was being evaluated for therapy one of the first things they asked me was "does he walk on his toes?"  I'd just keep an eye on him.  Aspie kids are usually developmentally normal and intellectually ahead.. social problems become more readily apparent around age three, as do fine motor skill problems.

Answer 9

when my son was 18 months old he went through th is for about 4 months and grew out of it... one day he popped his arch and started cryin real bad but after that day he never again did it. my poor baby was in some real pain... but i guess it was for the best

Answer 10

most toddlers walk liket his..or at leastmy kids did, and also alot of other parents i know their kids did...its nothing to be worried about its minly showing your toddler is happy and prancing about.  he sounds very intelligent.  dont worry about the way he walks.

Answer 11

My daughter did this for a period of time, then just seemed to grow out of it. I don't recall anyone making a big deal out of it, tho, that was 25 yrs. ago!!