ABSTRACT
Twenty‐eight children were filmed sequentially throughout the initial period of independent gait. Pelvic tilt and pelvic rotation were observed prior to independent gait or shortly thereafter. With few exceptions, heel strike, flexion at mid‐stance and a mature foot and knee mechanism appeared within 40 weeks following the initiation of independent gait. In every case, these characteristics were present by 55 weeks. The width of base narrowed within the lateral dimensions of the trunk and synchronous upper extremity movement was observed by this time also. It would appear that the adult pattern of gait appears significantly earlier than is generally accepted.