What is a red flag for gross motor development at 18 months?

• A. Climbing stairs without supervision.
• B. Not walking independently by 18 months.
• C. Running with good balance.
• D. Jumping on both feet.

Answer: (B)

Not walking independently by 18 months signals a delay in gross motor development. By about 12 months most children are walking on their own, and by 18 months they typically walk well and can start exploring more with movement. When a child hasn’t achieved independent walking by this age, it suggests a possible neuromotor or musculoskeletal delay and should prompt a pediatric evaluation and consideration of early intervention services to address potential underlying issues.

Climbing stairs without supervision, running with good balance, and jumping on both feet are skills that may be emerging at various rates and often occur a bit later or variably in early toddlerhood, so they are not the red-flag indicator in this context.