Toddler Development Milestones

Toddler development stages between the ages of 13 and 15 months....

MOTOR SKILLS

• Stands alone for a couple of seconds
• Walks with hands held
• Bends over and picks up an object while holding onto something for support
• May start taking steps independently
• Removes covers from a box
• Drops a raisin into a small bottle opening

COGNITIVE

• Empties containers of contents
• Imitates others
• Rolls a ball back and forth
• Initiates games
• Points to one body part when asked
• Responds to instructions (e.g., "give me a kiss")
• "Helps" around the house
• Plays with ball

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

• Enjoys gazing at his reflection
• "Helps" around the house
• Responds differently to children than adults
• Leaves familiar people to explore environment for minutes

SPEECH

• Uses two-four words skillfully (e.g., "hi" and "bye")
• Combines words and gestures to make needs known
• Adopts "no" as his favorite word
• Shows a body part or familiar item on request

SELF CARE

• Holds out arm or leg to help you dress him
• Eats with fingers mainly
• Begins to use a spoon or fork
• Switches from two naps to one
• Fusses to be changed

Toddler development stages between the ages of 16 and 18 months...

MOTOR SKILLS

• Walks alone
• Stoops from a standing balances and comes back up to standing
• Pushes and pulls toys while walking
• Discovers the joy of climbing
• Stacks three blocks
• Likes riding toys
• Throws a ball underhand
• Kicks ball forward

COGNITIVE

• Turns the pages of a book
• Learns the correct way to use common objects (e.g., the telephone)
• Places a circle into a puzzle form
• Enjoys pretend games
• Feeds doll

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

• Has temper tantrums when frustrated
• Becomes attached to a soft toy or other object
• Will approach another child in play

SPEECH

• Uses six words regularly
• Speaks more clearly
• Names an object on request
• Points to 3 body parts on self or a doll

SELF CARE

• Uses spoon or fork
• Takes off one piece of clothing by himself
• Gets finicky about food

Toddler development stages between the ages of 19 and 21 months...

MOTOR SKILLS

• Stacks 4-6 blocks
• Runs
• Throws a ball overhand
• Draws a straight line
• Can walk up stairs one foot at a time with support
• Kicks ball forward
• Stacks six blocks

COGNITIVE

• Will "read" board books on his own
• Scribbles well
• Enjoys helping around the house
• Recognizes when something is wrong (e.g.calling a dog a cat)
• Names several body parts
• Dumps an object in imitation, such as throwing garbage away
• Names simple picture in a book
• Sorts toys by color, shape, or size

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

• Enjoys helping around the house
• Will play near other children
• Begins to express independence
• Begins to help pick-up and put away toys

SPEECH

• Strings two words together in phrases
• Understands as many as 200 words
• Points to picture or object when you call it by name
• Names several body parts
• Names simple picture in a book

SELF CARE

• Brushes teeth with help
• Uses a spoon and fork
• Washes and dries own hands with help
• Takes off own clothes

Toddler development stages between the ages of 22 and 24 months...

MOTOR SKILLS

• Can walk down stairs by himself one step at a time
• Draws a straight line
• Opens doors
• Learns to jump

COGNITIVE

• Follows two-step requests (e.g., "Get your shoe and bring it here")
• Does simple puzzles 3-4 pieces
• Names several body parts
• Names simple picture in a book
• Understands opposites (e.g., tall vs. short)
• Begins to understand abstract concepts (e.g., sooner and later)

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

• Takes more of an interest in playing with other kids
• Talks about self (likes, dislikes)
• Becomes attuned to gender differences

SPEECH

• Uses 50 to 70 words
• Sings simple tunes
• Asks "why?"
• Names at least six body parts
• Half of speech is understandable
• Makes 2 to 3 word sentences
• Talks about self

SELF CARE

• Puts on loose-fitting clothes
• Might be ready for a big bed
• Shows signs of toilet training readiness

Toddler development stages between the ages of 25 and 28 months...

MOTOR SKILLS

• Stacks six blocks
• Walks with smooth heel-to-toe motion
• Draws a vertical,horizontal lines and circles on imitation
• Jumps with both feet
• Balances on one foot

COGNITIVE

• Understands descriptions (e.g., big, soft)
• Matches colors
• Starts to recognize ABCs

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

• Pretends to participate in activities like sleeping, eating and talking on the phone
• Plays near other children but not necessarily with them

SPEECH

• Uses pronouns (e.g., I, me, you)
• Speaks clearly most of the time

SELF CARE

• Washes and dries own hands
• Begins to indicate the need to use the toilet
• Uses a fork and spoon with good skill

Toddler development stages between the ages of 29 and 31 months...

MOTOR SKILLS

• Draws a circle on request
• Balances on one foot
• Walks on tip-toes
• Stacks 8 blocks

COGNITIVE

• Matches primary colors
• Names one or two primary colors
• Understand the concept of one and one more
• Names one friend
• Choose objects by use(i.e.What do we drink from?)

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

• Discriminates between boys and girls
• Show care with animals or babies
• Has a variety of emotions and expresses them appropriately

SPEECH

• Carries on a simple conversation
• Uses two adjectives
• Points to objects described by function or action

SELF CARE

• Puts on a T-shirt
• Brushes teeth by himself
• Removes all clothes independently

Toddler development stages between the ages of 32 and 36 months...

MOTOR SKILLS

• Alternates feet going up and down stairs
• Draws a cross
• Draws a stick figure
• Hops and skips
• Rides a tricycle
• Balances on each foot for three seconds
• Performs activities that require two hands such as holding paper and cutting

COGNITIVE

• Draws a stick figure
• Follows a 2 or 3 part command

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

• Expresses a wide range of emotions
• Separates fairly easily from parents
• Shares a toy with adult cues

SPEECH

• Uses prepositions (e.g., on, in, over)
• Speaks clearly most of the time (75 percent can be understood)
• Describes how two objects are used
• Uses three to four words in a sentence
• Names two actions (e.g., skipping, jumping)
• Asks and answers simple "W" questions

SELF CARE

• Is toilet trained during the day
• Gets dressed and undressed without help

A quick summary of motor milestones and what age ranges are considered normal. Achievement of the skill before the first month listed is considered early and skills achieved after the last month listed is considered late or delayed.

Rolling Over-Between 3-5 months is normal.

Sitting Up-Between the ages of 6-8 months.

Crawling-Between the ages of 8-10 months.

Walking-Between the ages of 12-18 months.

Always look at where a child is in his development. For example, a toddler who is 18 months and is walking with his hand held most likely does not have any concerns for delays. Where as a toddler of 12 months who is not yet crawling or pulling to stand is showing delays in his base skills and should be monitored. So focus on the skills first then the ages last.

Toddler Development Resources

Baby Development

Home Page