Genes Influence When Babies Start Walking, Study Finds

In a study analyzing genomic data from more than 70,000 infants, researchers have identified 11 genetic markers associated with the age at which babies begin walking. Published in Nature Human Behaviour, the research represents the first large-scale genomic investigation into this key developmental milestone.

The findings suggest that approximately 25 % of the variation in the timing of first steps can be attributed to genetic factors. While environmental influences such as parenting style and physical surroundings are known to impact motor development, this study highlights the substantial role of inherited traits.

The discovery opens new avenues for understanding the biological pathways that influence early motor development and may help clarify links between motor milestones and later cognitive or neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Most babies take their first step sometime between ages 8 months and 24 months, so it is a wide window in which this exciting milestone happens. It is a big moment for both parents and baby; it symbolises a new phase in a child’s life.

Angelica Ronald, Professor, Psychology and Genetics, University of Surrey

“Until now, we did not understand what causes the wide differences between children when they take their first step. Parents might often worry that walking early or late is a bad sign or that they have done something wrong. We see that genetics plays a considerable role in influencing the timing of this milestone,” added Dr. Anna Gui, Study Author and a Researcher at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Birkbeck, University of London

Walking is a major developmental milestone, and this study suggests it is genetically connected to broader aspects of human development. Researchers found that some of the genetic variants influencing the timing of first steps also play a role in brain development, including the amount of folding and ridges on the outer surface of the brain (the “cortex”). 

Interestingly, later walking within the typical developmental range was genetically associated with a reduced risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study also identified overlap between genes linked to higher educational attainment and those associated with a slightly delayed onset of walking.

Ronald concluded, “It is exciting to be able to discover the genes that influence when children learn to walk. Starting to walk independently is a major milestone for young children. We hope these new genetic findings can advance fundamental understanding about the causes of walking and be used to better support children with motor disorders and learning disabilities. While parents should still see their GP if they are concerned, a slightly later start is not always a sign of problems. There is a lot of variety in when children take their first step on their own.”