My child walks on their toes. What can I do?
Maybe you noticed it a few months ago. Maybe your child has always done it. Either way, you are watching them walk across the room on the tips of their toes and something in your gut is telling you to look into it. That instinct is worth listening to.
Firstly, you are not overreacting
Toe walking is one of the most common things we see at Jacaranda Kids, and one of the most commonly dismissed. Parents are told "they will grow out of it." Sometimes that is true, but for many children, toe walking does not resolve on its own and the longer it goes unaddressed & the harder it becomes to treat.
In typically developing children, a consistent heel-to-toe walking pattern should be established by around 18 months of age. If your child is still walking predominantly on their toes beyond that window, it is worth getting assessed.
Why Do Kids Toe Walk?
There is not one single answer, and that is exactly why a proper assessment matters.
Some children toe walk out of habit. This is called idiopathic toe walking, meaning there is no underlying medical cause. It affects around 4.5% of children and often runs in families. Other children toe walk because of tight calf muscles, sensory processing differences, or as part of a broader developmental picture. In some cases it can be an early sign of something that warrants further investigation.
The first job of a good paediatric physiotherapist is to work out exactly why your child is toe walking so the right plan can be put in place. Not a generic plan. Your child's plan.
What Happens If We Leave It?
For children whose toe walking does not resolve, the calf muscles gradually become tighter over time. What starts as a habit can become a physical restriction that is much harder to reverse.
Untreated toe walking is associated with:
Tight calf muscles and Achilles tendons that limit ankle movement
Increased risk of ankle injuries or foot deformities
Foot and leg pain in older childhood and adulthood
Delayed gross motor skills including balance, running, and jumping
When toe walking is identified and treated early, outcomes are excellent. Most children respond really well to physiotherapy and many need nothing more than hands-on treatment, a targeted home program, and the right footwear.
What Does Physiotherapy Actually Do?
At Jacaranda Kids Physio, a toe walking assessment starts with the full picture. We look at your child's ankle range of motion, muscle length, strength, balance, and movement pattern. We watch them walk barefoot and in shoes. We ask when you notice it most, whether it has changed, and what you have already tried.
Treatment is then tailored to exactly what your child needs and may include:
Stretching and strengthening exercises to do at home as part of your daily routine
Footwear and orthotics advice, because the right shoe makes a significant difference
Night splinting to gently stretch the calf muscles while your child sleeps
Serial bracing using Turtlebraces for children with tighter muscles who need a more intensive approach
Gait retraining to help the brain and body build a new movement habit
The most important thing we tell every family is this: the home program is the treatment. What we do in the clinic matters, but what you do at home every day is what drives the outcome. You will leave every appointment knowing exactly what to do and why.
When should I book?
Now. Not because it is an emergency, but because earlier is always easier.
If your child is still toe walking consistently, if it is increasing, or if you have been told to wait and see and something still does not feel right, trust that feeling and get them assessed. One appointment will tell you exactly what is going on and what the plan is. You will leave with answers, not more questions.
Fill in our intake form and one of our physio’s will call you first to make sure we understand your concerns before you even walk through the door.
Expert physio. Empowered kids. Supported families.