Stair Navigation: Typical Progression and What to Look For

Morgan Harper PT/DPT

Stairs are an important gross motor milestone, but when and how you should be navigating stairs can be complicated.

While every kid’s timeline is different, the typical development of stair navigation is:

• Crawling up/down stairs – 15 months

• Walking up stairs with 2 handheld – 18-20months

• Walking down stairs holding rail – 18-20 months

• Walking up/down stairs with step-to pattern and holding rail – 22-24 months

• Walking up stairs with alternating steps and holding rail – 28-30 months

• Walking up stairs with alternating steps without rail – 3 years

• Walking down stairs with alternating steps without rail – 5 years

Progression of stair navigation is seen in certain patterns, such as holding on to a hand rail or hand before having no hand support, walking up stairs before walking down stairs, and performing step-to stepping pattern before alternating steps. As physical therapists, we look to make sure kids are mastering stairs in this progression at appropriate times.

If a kid is having difficulty with stairs, they may have strength deficits, balance challenges, impaired vision (depth perception), or limited practice. It can be scary starting at the top of a flight of stairs and seeing how far down you have to go! Another thing to be aware of when it comes to stair navigation, aside from keeping up with milestones, is asymmetrical movements. Does your child always lead with the same leg when going up or down stairs? If so, there may be asymmetries between the two legs, especially if they refuse to use their non-preferred leg or have lower quality of movement. These asymmetries and other concerns with delayed milestones can be assessed and treated by a pediatric physical therapist.