Toe Walking / Heel Walking Game

How to do it

You need: A clear floor space, Two soft toys or markers.

Clear a short, non-slip walkway a few steps long and put a marker at each end. Your child can be barefoot or in flat, supportive shoes.

1. Show your child 'penguin walking' to one marker: walking on the heels with the toes lifted up.
2. At the marker, switch to 'tiptoe walking' back to the start, up on the toes like a tall giraffe.
3. Walk beside your child, holding a hand if they need steadying.
4. Take turns copying each other, and let your child call out which walk comes next.
5. Finish with a few steps of normal walking, landing on the heel first.

Form cues

• On the heel walk, the toes and the front of the foot lift clearly off the floor.
• On the normal walking steps, the heel makes contact first, then the toes.
• Your child can switch between the two walks without needing to stop and think for long.

Common mistakes

• Only ever practising the tiptoe walk - the heel walk and the heel-first steps are the important part.
• Letting your child rush and slip back into their usual toe walking.
• Practising on a slippery floor or a steep slope.

Safety: Stop and message your child's physio if your child has increasing pain, a limp that does not settle, or is much more tired or unsettled than usual.