Short answer
Children develop at different speeds. In WHO’s study, healthy children sat without support between about 4 and 9 months and walked alone between about 8 and 18 months. See a paediatrician if your child is outside these windows, does not respond to their name or to sounds, is not using words and simple phrases by around age 2, or loses skills they already had.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Movement milestones: the WHO age windows
| Milestone | Usual age range |
|---|---|
| Sitting without support | About 4 to 9 months |
| Standing with help | About 5 to 11 months |
| Crawling on hands and knees | About 5 to 13 months |
| Walking with help | About 6 to 14 months |
| Standing alone | About 7 to 17 months |
| Walking alone | About 8 to 18 months |
These windows cover the ages at which nearly all healthy children in WHO’s study reached each skill. Some healthy children never crawl and go straight to standing.
If your baby was born early, doctors judge milestones by corrected age, counted from the due date, in the early years.
Speech and social development
Babies watch faces, respond to voices and copy sounds from the first months. Between 12 and 18 months most children start trying to say words, and around age 2 they begin to put simple sentences together.
Talking, singing, looking at books together and simple games such as peek-a-boo all help. Speaking Telugu, English or both at home is fine: children growing up with two languages adapt well. Limit TV and phone screen time.
When to ask for a developmental check
- Your child is not sitting without support by 9 months, or not walking alone by 18 months
- Your child does not respond to their name or to sounds
- Your child rarely makes eye contact, smiles back or uses gestures such as pointing
- Your child is not using words and simple phrases by around age 2
- Your child loses skills they already had, at any age
- You or your family feel something is not right
What a developmental assessment involves
The paediatrician asks about pregnancy, birth and the milestones so far, examines your child, measures growth and head size, and watches how your child moves, plays, listens and communicates. Hearing and vision checks may be advised.
If more help is needed, the doctor will explain the next steps, such as a referral for physiotherapy, speech therapy or a specialist assessment. Early support makes a real difference.
At Dhruva Hospitals
Our paediatrician tracks height, weight and developmental milestones at check-ups and vaccination visits. Call +91 99599 59694 to book a development check. OPD hours are 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Common questions
My child is 15 months old and not walking. Should I worry?
Not necessarily. Many healthy children walk alone between 15 and 18 months. If your child is not walking by 18 months, or you have other concerns, book a check-up.
Can learning two languages delay speech?
Speak to your child in the language you are most comfortable with. Children growing up with two languages adapt well, and it can help their learning. If your child’s speech seems delayed, get it checked rather than dropping a language.
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Sources
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.