A new study reveals that genetics could play a significant role in when babies take their first steps. While many parents eagerly wait for their child’s first independent steps, researchers suggest that the timing may depend not only on factors like size, nutrition, and practice but also on inherited genetic markers.
According to the study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, about 25% of the variation in the age at which babies begin walking can be explained by 11 genetic markers. These findings suggest that genes influence not just when a baby walks, but also other aspects of their development.
While genetics play a key role, other factors such as whether a baby was born early, their overall health, and the environment they grow up in also impact when they start walking. Supportive parents and opportunities for practice are important, but the study emphasizes that genetics cannot be ignored.
The study also found that the genes involved in walking are linked to brain development, particularly brain size and the number of folds in the brain’s outer layer. These are areas related to cognitive functions. Interestingly, some of these genes are also associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), leading researchers to suggest that babies who walk early might be more active and have shorter attention spans, allowing them to practice walking more.
Research also suggests that walking later, particularly after 18 months, could be an early indicator of intellectual disabilities. However, the new study points out that there may be benefits to walking at both earlier and later ages, as the timing of walking is just one part of a child’s overall development.
For now, the study offers some reassurance to parents, suggesting that the timing of a baby’s first steps is influenced by genetics and not solely by how much help parents provide. There is no need to worry if a child walks earlier or later than others. Each child develops at their own pace, with both early and late walkers having their own advantages.
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