• Genetics accounts for approximately 25% of the variation in when babies begin to walk, with the remaining influenced by environmental factors.
• The genes influencing walking onset are also connected to brain development, potentially impacting the risk of ADHD and later educational attainment.
• Later walking within the typical range (8-24 months) is not necessarily indicative of developmental problems and may be genetically linked to positive traits like lower ADHD risk and higher education potential.

A groundbreaking study from the University of Surrey has revealed that a baby's first steps are significantly influenced by genetics. Analyzing data from over 70,000 infants, the research identified 11 genetic markers linked to the timing of walking onset. This discovery challenges traditional views that primarily focused on environmental factors such as nutrition, culture, and practice. The study highlights the complex interplay between genes and environment in shaping this critical developmental milestone, suggesting that a child's genetic predisposition plays a crucial role in determining when they begin to walk.

• What: A genome-wide association study identified 11 genetic markers influencing the age at which babies take their first steps. The study suggests genetics accounts for about 25% of the variation in walking onset.
• Who: Researchers from the University of Surrey, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Birkbeck, University of London, and other institutions collaborated on the study, analyzing data from over 70,000 infants of European ancestry.
• When: The study was published in Nature Human Behaviour. Data was analyzed and the findings were released in May 2025.
• Where: The study involved data from multiple European cohorts, including those in the UK, Netherlands, and Norway.

This study provides compelling evidence for the significant role of genetics in influencing when babies begin to walk. It challenges the previously dominant view that environmental factors are the primary drivers. The discovery of 11 genetic markers opens new avenues for understanding the biological mechanisms underlying motor development and its connection to other developmental traits. The finding that later walking (within the normal range) is linked to a lower risk of ADHD and higher educational attainment is particularly noteworthy, suggesting that parents should not necessarily be concerned if their child walks later than average.

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.

Until now, we didn’t understand what causes the wide differences between children in 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 play a considerable role in influencing the timing of this milestone.

The latest findings provide a more detailed understanding of the multifaceted influences on a baby's first steps, revealing that genetics accounts for approximately 25% of the variation in walking onset. Identifying 11 specific genetic markers, the research highlights the significant role of DNA in shaping this key developmental milestone, in addition to the well-established impact of environmental factors. These genetic influences extend beyond motor skills, impacting brain development, including the size of motor regions and the folding of the cortex, and are linked to later-life outcomes such as a reduced risk of ADHD and potential for higher educational attainment. This suggests that genes influencing walking onset play a broader role in overall development. While environmental factors and parental support remain crucial, a slightly later start to walking, within the typical 8 to 24-month range, is not necessarily a cause for concern and may even be associated with certain developmental advantages. Future studies should investigate the interactions between these identified genes and environmental influences, as well as explore the potential for early interventions and tailored support for children with motor disorders or learning disabilities. Understanding the genetic underpinnings of motor development may also provide insights into treating motor skill impairments such as cerebral palsy.