18 to 24 Months Developmental Milestones
Please note: all babies develop at their own pace, this information should just be used as a general guide.
Physical: Your toddler is increasingly more confident, competent, and independent. She is walking well and may be running, climbing on furniture and stairs, and carrying toys around the house. She is building with blocks, likes to scribble with markers, and to manipulate small objects and puzzles with her fingers and hands. Language: His language ability is exploding now. He is beginning to put two words together to let you know what he wants. He points to objects and likes to have them described and labeled. He often uses "me", "mine", and "no" when speaking. Sometimes he gets frustrated when he is unable to express himself.

Cognitive: She is able to follow simple directions. She understands that other people can do things for her such as get a toy, wind up a music box, or read a book. She likes to control her world and is sometimes bossy! She is just beginning to play pretend games.

Social/Emotional: He is seeing himself as powerful and able to do many things such as feeding and dressing. He shows pride in his accomplishments and likes to be praised. He enjoys being with other children but may be aggressive towards them since he is not able to communicate exactly what he wants. He is beginning to show concern for others.

Playing with Your Baby: Play music and sing songs that encourage your baby to move her body. Let her make her own music with toy instruments and other household items. Offer materials such as markers, chubby crayons, play dough, safe finger paints, crinkly paper, and other creative objects so she can do art projects. Provide opportunities to play with water, sand, and other safe materials using plastic cups, spoons, and shovels. Give her dolls and stuffed animals that she can cuddle and play with. Provide larger toys that can be used for pulling, pushing, and riding.

Reading to Your Baby: Set aside a quiet time each day to look at and read books together. Read the story but also point at the pictures, label them, and have your baby repeat the words by pointing to pictures and asking "What's that?" Ask questions about the story. Talk about the emotions that the pictures show.