At what age can a child first walk backwards?

The ability for a child to walk backwards typically develops around 15 to 18 months of age, which aligns with developmental milestones observed in early childhood. By this stage, children have usually developed sufficient balance, coordination, and muscle strength to engage in more complex movements like walking backward.

While some children might begin experimenting with moving backwards slightly before 18 months, this skill is generally considered fully developed by that age. Walking backward involves coordination of balance, spatial awareness, and motor skill integration, which improves over time as children gain experience with various forms of movement.

In summary, while the average range for walking backwards begins around 15 months, it is more consistently achieved by 18 months, making that the most accurate choice for when a child can first walk backward independently.