All toddlers have their own timetable, but you can watch for certain developments around this time. Celebrate with your child as he reaches or nears these milestones.
Cognitive
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Knows how household items are used (a spoon to eat, a telephone to talk)
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Imitates adult actions (throwing away trash, using a phone)
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Uses toys when pretending to do everyday tasks (feeding a stuffed animal)
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Has increasing understanding that everything has a name
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Points to at least one body part when asked (“Where’s your chin?”)
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Can follow one-step commands without gestures (“Sit down”)
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May remember favorite items that are out of sight (crackers in cupboard, a toy in toy box)
Motor
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May run
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May dance or move to music
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Jumps in place or from a bottom step to the floor
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Navigates stairs; may need support coming down
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Walks and pulls a pull-toy
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May pedal on a tricycle
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Takes off at least some clothes without help
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Uses a spoon
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May build a tower of six blocks
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Folds paper
Communication
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May say up to 30 words, 18 months
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Begins to add new words more rapidly than before
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Tries longer, multi-syllable words
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Shakes head and says “no”
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Uses gestures to make wishes known
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May use simple phrases, 18 to 24 months
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May say first sentence, 18 to 30 months
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May use first and last names
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May hum and sing
Social
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May have tantrums when upset (tantrums peak between 18 and 24 months)
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May still be afraid of strangers
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May still cling to parents or caregivers in unfamiliar situations
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May have quick emotional shifts
