It is amazing experience to watch your toddler grow and change on a daily basis, but it is hard to know if their progress is typical or if you should be concerned. This post will give you a handy checklist of toddler development and milestones.
Unique yet Similar Patterns
There are few absolutes when it comes to the pace and style of development, which can be comforting to many parents. There are children who tend to display a steady pattern of change while others seem to learn new things suddenly over night! The most important thing to keep in mind is your own child’s individual course of growth to make sure that he is making progress according to his own patterns in all areas of development.
The following milestone chart is a helpful tool to help you be aware of the steps that constitute “normal” development. It is a fun way to see what is coming next, and a good way to keep track of milestones in case you have any concerns that you would like to discuss with your pediatrician.
Keep in mind that this chart is simply a guideline. If your child has never had a puzzle, he won’t know how to put one together. If no one thought to teach him what an elbow is, he won’t magically know that information. If you never give your child a cup to drink from, they won’t master that skill simply by the passing of time. This chart may give you some new ideas of things that you can introduce to your child - scribble with a crayon, catch a ball, etc - so that they have the ability to practice these age appropriate skills.
The skills listed on the following pages are those that most toddlers achieve at a certain age. Your little one might master some of these earlier or later than listed, but that doesn’t automatically mean there’s a problem to be concerned about. Some toddlers excel in one area while lag a bit in another area so keep the whole picture in mind. It does give you a more accurate picture of your child’s overall development and provides you with the information you need to ask questions of your health professional.
By 12 month of age (1 year):
MOTOR SKILLS
- Crawls well
- Moves body easily, gets up and down from standing to sitting
- Stands alone or cruises furniture
- May walk with help or by pushing objects ⎯ or may begin walking independently
- Claps hands
- Picks up small items
LANGUAGE
- Points, gestures, or makes sounds to make needs known
- Talks in gibberish interspersed with some real words
- Identifies primary people by name (mommy, daddy, Grandma, etc.)
- Tries to imitate sounds and words
- Responds to own name
SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS
- Demonstrates stranger and separation anxiety
- Understand what “no” means, but doesn’t always respond
- May “help” when getting dressed by extending arm or leg
- Shows interest in mirrors and can recognize self
- Gives a kiss and hug when asked
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
- Understands and responds to simple instructions
- May know some body parts by name
- Is curious and likes to explore
- Shows interest in books, may recognize favorites
SLEEP HABITS
- Takes one or two naps of two to three hours total
- Sleeps 11–12 hours at night (often with several awakenings)
By 18 months of age (1 ½ years):
MOTOR SKILLS
- Walks independently
- Walks fast or runs
- Climbs up/crawls down steps
- Pulls a toy attached to a string
- Carries objects while walking
- Drinks from a cup with a lid
- Uses a spoon
- Picks up tiny objects with thumb and finger
- Scribbles with a crayon or marker
- Puts things in and out of containers
LANGUAGE
- Says 5-20 understandable words, or is beginning to talk
- Imitates words that others say
- Makes animal sounds
- Sings parts of songs or made-up tunes
SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS
- Looks at a person who is talking to him
- Waves bye-bye
- Feeds self with a spoon
- Can follow simple one step directions (Bring me your book.)
- Can remove simple piece of clothing (mitten, hat)
- Responds to praise and criticism from others
- Shows a range of emotions such as happiness, anger, frustration and pride
- Plays side by side with other children
- Doesn’t like to share toys
- Shows signs of independence
- Shows affection to family members and friends
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
- Enjoys looking at picture books; will sit through a short book
- Points to familiar objects or pictures in a book when asked
- Knows some body parts, clothing pieces, and home items by name
- Responds appropriately to questions with “yes” or “no” answer
- Remembers some things that happened yesterday
SLEEP HABITS
- Takes one or two naps of one to three hours total
- Sleeps 11–12 hours at night
By 24 months of age (2 years):
MOTOR SKILLS
- Runs well
- Walks up and down stairs with help
- Kicks a ball
- Throws a ball
- Stands on tiptoe
- Jumps
- Drinks from a cup without a lid
- Opens drawers and boxes
- Stacks several blocks
- Puts together simple 2-3 piece puzzles if taught
- Draws a line in imitation
LANGUAGE
- Says 20–50 understandable words
- Learns new words every week
- Combines words to make thoughts known (Daddy up. More juice.)
- Copies words and phrases
- Knows many body parts by name
- Knows the name of many familiar objects
SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS
- Can undress self (when unfastened)
- Shows understanding of others emotions
- Shows interest in other children
- Finds it difficult to share; may hit, bite or pull hair
- Likes to pretend with toys
- Likes to do things by himself
- Shows affection with hugs or kisses
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
- Understands at a higher level than her own ability to talk
- Answers a simple question (Where’s your ball?)
- Matches like objects (apple to apple; truck to truck)
- Remembers some things that happened days ago
- Likes to be read to
- Likes to explore and is curious
SLEEP HABITS
- May takes one nap of one to two hours total, or show signs of giving up naps
- Sleeps 11–12 hours at night
By 30 months of age (2 ½ years):
MOTOR SKILLS
- Walks backward
- Catches a ball rolled on the floor
- Builds a tower of 3 – 5 blocks
- Turns knobs
- Puts round peg in hole
- Turns pages of a book
- Manipulates play dough
- Drinks from a straw
- Puts together simple 3-5 piece puzzles
- Zips a large zipper
LANGUAGE
- Talks in simple sentences
- Uses pronouns (I, me, you)
- Mimics people exactly – words and tone
- Says “please” and “thank you” with reminders
- Vocabulary expands rapidly
SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS
- Throws tantrums when upset
- Understands and applies concept of “mine”
- Can tell boys from girls
- Plays make-believe versions of real tasks (cleaning, talking on phone)
- Shows sense of humor
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
- Answers questions that start with What or Where
- Can put on an easy piece of clothing
- Washes own hands
- Remembers things that happened days or weeks ago
- Enjoys stories and being read to
SLEEP HABITS
- May take one nap of one to two hours, or show signs of giving up naps
- Sleeps 11–12 hours at night
By 36 months of age (3 years):
MOTOR SKILLS
- Walks, runs, dances, kicks, climbs, tires out parents
- Goes up and down stairs
- Pedals a tricycle
- Catches a ball rolled on the floor
- Balances on one foot briefly
- Turns pages of a book one at a time
- Removes jar lids
- Feeds self with spoon and fork
- Builds a tower of 5 or more blocks
- Puts together simple 5-10 piece puzzles
- Draws a line or circle when shown
LANGUAGE
- Talks in two to five words sentences
- Repeats words and phrases heard in conversation
- Understand much of what is said to him
- Tries to sing
- Responds when called to from another room
- Can recite name, age, sex
- Identifies familiar sounds (airplane, dog bark)
- Strangers can understand much of his speech
SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS
- Can follow simple two-step directions (…but often doesn’t.)
- Puts away toys when given directions
- Can dress self with help
- Plays pretend games
- Seeks approval of family members
- Expresses many emotions
- Likes to laugh and be silly
- Imitates others words and actions
- Wants to do what parents or siblings are doing
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
- Talks about things that happened in the past
- Asks questions that begin with What, Where or Why
- Can answer questions that begin with Who, What, Where or Why
- Identifies primary colors
- Sorts objects by color and shape
- Understands opposites: big/small; top/bottom; in/out
- Counts to five
- Can sit through the reading of several books
SLEEP HABITS
- May take one nap of one to 1 ½ hours, or show signs of giving up naps
- Sleeps 11 hours at night
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