Read about reaching milestones: 15 to 18 months
All toddlers have their own timetable, but you can watch for certain developments around this time. Celebrate with your child as she reaches or nears these milestones.
Cognitive
- May begin to have a sense of time (napping after lunch, bathing before bed)
- Actively explores objects by touch and movement (shaking, banging, throwing)
- Searches for hidden items where last seen
- Puts objects in and takes them out of containers
- Sorts shapes; organizes rings by size
- Looks at picture books by herself
- Points to objects you name (nose, picture of a dog in a book)
- Engages in more pretend games
- Imitates real life in play (feeding a doll, sweeping)
- May follow a two-part command (“Go to the hall and bring me your shoes”)
Motor
- Climbs on furniture, possibly out of her crib
- Walks or at least cruises
- May walk backward and in circles
- May try to kick a ball (not always accurately)
- May be able to run
- Crawls up stairs; may walk up stairs with help
- May dance
- Intentionally releases items from her grasp, closer to 18 months
- Uses a spoon and possibly a fork
- Removes some clothing; extends arms and legs to help when being dressed
- Turns pages
- May begin to scribble
- May throw overhand
Communication
- Tries to copy words you say
- Uses a single word as a sentence (“juice” for “I want juice,” “bye-bye” for “I want to leave now”)
- Says at least five words, by 15 months
- May say up to 30 words, by 18 months
- May start to use simple phrases, 18 to 24 months
- Understands concepts of up, down, off, and hot
Social
- Gets easily frustrated
- Separation anxiety may continue, peaking around 18 months
- May develop an attachment to a security blanket or toy
- Shows preferences for certain people and things
- Increasingly understands that she’s a separate person from you with her own preferences, feelings, and ideas
- May say “no” to express frustration
- May show empathy (for example, pat your back when you’re upset)
- Prefers parallel play (playing next to, rather than with, another child)
