Evening star., 1941-02-19
First Steps
Important
ToBaby
Walking Alone Is
Usually Started
On Impulse
Bv Lettice Lee STREET.

A bright finger of sun pointed to
the bowl Of apples, turning their red
cheeks to shining scarlet. The spot
of brilliant color caught the baby s
eye. Up to this moment she had
been sitting on a blanket on the
floor Solemnly engaged in trying to
unite one shoe lace. Now she
paused and seriously regarded the
apples. Crawling to the nearest
chair she laboriously pulled herself
to her feet and then, to her moth
er's amazement, she started off alone
toward the apples. Her steps were
widespread and unsteady and her
little mouth was set in determined
line. Half way there she lost her
balance and sat down suddenly,
wreathed in smiles, very proud of
herself. An apple and a hug were
her prizes.
What mother does not remember
such a happy moment, the time
when her baby took his first inde-
pendent, unguided steps?
The mere fact of walking must be
a very exciting experience for the
baby. He has wanted to walk long
before the day when a sudden i'm
petus, such as the desire to reach
an object that he longs to touch,
spurs him on to take those first
brave steps. Even in countries where
the custom is to hamper the young
child with layers of bulky clothing,
a baby will make every effort to
walk when the time comes for him
to do SO.
When little child finds the cour-
age to walk alone he does so on un-
certain feet spread on a wide base
to help his balance, and he uses his
arms, as tightrope walker does, to
keep his balance. He is intent only
upon two things, reaching his goal
and the mechanics Of getting there
If you distract his attention he is
apt to fall down, just as an auto
mobile driver may have a collision
# his mind is diverted from the car
and the road.
Walking is the most important
physical phase of the second year OF
a babys life, and the perfecting OF
this walking, so that he learns to
take steps without thinking about
it, is the prime achievement. 1t is
not important or necessary for a
baby to walk early in the second
year, but he should do so by the
time he Is 20 months old.
Do not be upset if a friend OF
yours should lift her eyebrows and
say in superior way, What! Your
baby is not walking yet? Why, my
Betty has been walking alone fol-
two months and she is younger thar
your boy" No two babies are alike
So many mothers have asked exactly
when they should expect their babie:
to take their first steps that we will
tell you a few facts on this interest
ing subject.
Girls show a tendency to walk
sooner than boys.
A few babies walk before the
end of the first year.
The average age for a baby TO
walk Is IA months.
Retarded children generally do
not walk until the oath month or
later.
Sometimes an overweight or
very large baby will walk later
than the thinner child.
1t is important not to fix upon {
definite reason for delayed watkins
as the causes can be multiple. Sucf
as: Poor muscle tone, poor nutrition
illness or convalescence from an Ill
ness, weight, intelligence, muscula
aptitude, personality, or just simpl,
that it isn't time for the baby Il
take his first steps alone.
If your doctor says that your bab,
is physically and mentally sount
and If you give him plenty Of fresf
fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs anc
cod liver oil, do not worry If HI
seems slow about walking, or If HI
walks very early. Bowlegs are no
caused by baby's walking too soon
but are generally the sad result O.
ricketts,. which is deficiency disease
traced to a lack of sufficient guam
titles of vitamins A and D.