Developmental Milestones: 12-24 Months
During the toddler years, development milestones will vary widely from child to child. Unless your toddler lags in several areas or is more than a few months behind in any one area, there is little need for concern. Also remember that premature babies may reach milestones slightly later than a child who is born full-term, and that by age two, they will even out developmentally. Below is a list of general developmental guidelines for an average healthy child between the ages of 12-24 months old.
By month 12
Most toddlers are able to:
- imitate the sounds and activities of others
- babble different word-like sounds
- indicate wants with gestures other than crying
- clap hands and bang objects together
- say one word other than “mama” or “dada”
- crawl well
- walk holding onto furniture well
- pull off socks
Some toddlers are able to:
- say two or more words other than “mama” or “dada”
- take a few steps
- understand simple instructions
- test parents’ responses to certain behavior
- stand well
- walk with help
- shake head to say “no”
A few toddlers are able to:
- walk well
- scribble with markers or crayons
- say three or more words other than “mama” or “dada”
- respond to command without gestures
- babble and make foreign language-like sounds
- drink from a cup independently
By month 13
Most toddlers are able to:
- say two or more words other than “mama” or “dada”
- stand well
- bend over to pick up objects
- take a few steps
- walk with help
Some toddlers are able to:
- drink from a cup independently
- say three or more words other than “mama” or “dada”
- respond to command without gestures
- scribble with markers or crayons
- hold out arms or legs to help you dress them
- enjoy gazing at their reflections
A few toddlers are able to:
- lift slightly heavier objects
- roll a ball back and forth more actively
- combine words and gestures to make their needs known
- walk well
By month 14
Most toddlers are able to:
- stand well
- walk with help
- take a few steps unassisted
- eat with fingers
- empty containers filled with objects
- put objects back in container
- say three or more words other than “mama” or “dada”
Some toddlers are able to:
- toddle well
- point to a body part when asked
- initiate games
- combine words and gestures to make his or her needs known
- respond to simple instructions (give mommy a hug)
A few toddlers are able to:
- walk well
- use a spoon or fork
- push and pull toys while walking
- match lids with their containers
By month 15
Most toddlers are able to:
- toddle well
- walk backwards
- use three or more words regularly
- play with ball
- climb stairs
- laugh at funny things
Some toddlers are able to:
- walk well or run
- say “no” and shake head
- enjoy singing
A few toddlers are able to:
- “help” with household chores
- walk up stairs
- respond to verbal requests without gestures
- say “shhh” with their fingers to their mouth
By month 15
Most toddlers are able to:
- toddle well
- walk backwards
- induse three or more words regularly
- play with a ball
- climb stairs
- laugh at funny things
Some toddlers are able to:
- walk well or run
- say “no” and shake head
- sing and enjoy singing
A few toddlers are able to:
- “help” with household chores
- walk up stairs
- respond to verbal requests without gestures
- say “shhh,” holding their fingers to their mouth
By month 16
Most toddlers are able to:
- turn the pages of a book when you read to them
- become attached to stuffed animal or other toy
- walk well
- sing and enjoy singing
- throw tantrums when frustrated
Some toddlers are able to:
- walk backwards
- start to climb and explore
- stack three blocks at a time
- say up to 15 words
- use a spoon or fork
- understand how some objects are used
A few toddlers are able to:
- take off one article of clothing without help
- be picky about certain foods
- dance to music
- switch from two naps to one
By month 17
Most toddlers are able to:
- start to climb and explore
- use at least six words regularly
- enjoy pretend and imaginary games
- ride toys
- respond to simple directions (give mommy a hug)
Some toddlers are able to:
- speak more clearly
- use up to 15 words regularly
- become picky about certain foods
- cpretend to feed dolls
- run well
- throw a ball underhand
A few toddlers are able to:
- dance to music
- kick a ball forward
- sort toys by color, shape or size
- brush teeth with help
- string more words together to make phrases
By month 18
Most toddlers are able to:
- look at books on their own
- scribble well
- run well
- say at least 20 words
- feed self with a spoon
- become picky about certain foods
Some toddlers are able to:
- string words together to make phrases
- talk more clearly
- brush teeth with help
- stack four blocks at a time
- jump around
A few toddlers are able to:
- throw a ball overhand
- take off clothes
- climb out of crib and high chair
- take apart toys and put them back together
- show signs of potty training readiness
By month 19
Most toddlers are able to:
- run well
- string words together to make phrases
- feed self with spoon or fork
- brush teeth with help
- throw a ball underhand
- “help” with household chores
Some toddlers are able to:
- say up to 50 words
- form recognizable sentences (two or three words)
- understand up to 200 words
- know when something is incorrect (calling an apple a banana)
- take clothes off
A few toddlers are able to:
- show signs of bladder control
- brush teeth and wash hands with help
- draw circles and lines
- name several parts of his or her body
By month 20
Most toddlers are able to:
- pretend to feed dolls
- take off clothes
- run well
- imitate new actions (throwing garbage away)
Some toddlers are able to:
- learn words at a rate of 10 or more a day
- say up to 50 words
- walk up stairs
- enjoy helping around the house
- start setting small goals (putting a toy in a certain place)
A few toddlers are able to:
- name several body parts
- show better signs of bladder control
- draw a straight line
By month 21
Most toddlers are able to:
- walk up stairs
- set simple goals
- make structures out of toys or blocks
Some toddlers are able to:
- learn more than 10 words a day
- show good signs of bladder control
- throw a ball overhand
- stack six blocks at a time
A few toddlers are able to:
- name simple pictures in a book
- walk down stairs with some help
- open and close doors
By month 22
Most toddlers are able to:
- kick a ball forward
- imitate behavior of others
- show good signs of bladder control
- start to learn more than 10 words a day
Some toddlers are able to:
- do simple puzzles
- identify several parts of the body
- draw a straight line
- walk down stairs with some help
- form short but complete and understandable sentences
A few toddlers are able to:
- get dressed and undressed alone
- understand opposites (hot vs. cold, etc.)
- form three or four-word sentences
By month 23
Most toddlers are able to:
- name pictures in books
- walk down stairs with some help
- use 50-70 words
- identify their own body parts
- do simple puzzles
Some toddlers are able to:
- open and close doors
- sing simple songs
- dress and undress themselves
A few toddlers are able to:
- walk down stairs without help
- start asking “why”
- speak understandably most of the time
- talk about likes and dislikes
By month 24
Most toddlers are able to:
- name at least five body parts
- speak understandably more than half the time
- form two to three-word sentences
- dress and undress themselves
Some toddlers are able to:
- walk down stairs without help
- talk about likes and dislikes
- arrange things in categories
A few toddlers are able to:
- jump
- begin to understand concepts (better or worse, etc.)
- understand gender difference