Around what age do most children start walking independently?

• A. 6 months
• B. 18 months
• C. 24 months
• D. 12 months

Answer: (D)

Gross motor development milestones track when infants typically gain the ability to move themselves more independently. First steps happen around the first birthday for many children. Around 12 months is the common age for taking independent steps, though there is a wide range of normal variation (some start a bit earlier, some a bit later).

Six months is usually when babies are still mastering sitting, rolling, and reaching, not walking. Eighteen months is typically past the age when many children have already started walking, often accompanied by early running and climbing. Twenty-four months is later than the usual window for first independent walking, since most have already taken those first unassisted steps well before then.

So the best answer is around 12 months.