What to know
View photos and videos of developmental milestones that most children do by eighteen months of age. Milestones are listed by area of child development.
Social/Emotional
Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
The toddler in this video looks at his family after he moves a box of lego.
Points to show you something interesting
Puts hands out for you to wash them
Looks at a few pages in a book with you
Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot
The child in this video is helping his mom to dress him by lifting up his foot, an 18-month social/emotional milestone.
Language/Communication
Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”
The child in this video is trying to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada", an 18-month language/communication milestone.
Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”
The child in this video is following 1-step directions given by her mom without any gestures, an 18-month language/communication milestone.
Cognitive
Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
The child in this video is copying her mom doing chores and sweeping with a broom, an 18-month cognitive milestone.
Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
Movement/Physical
Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
The child in this video is walking without holding on to anyone or anything, an 18-month movement/physical development milestone.
Scribbles
Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
Feeds himself with his fingers
Tries to use a spoon
Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
