Track your toddler’s
Developmental
Milestones
By Liz Victor
Toddlers between 13 - 36 months are explorers and young scientists; they look at things, study them
and then test their theories. Emotionally it’s a see-saw ride between being happy one moment to all fall
down the next. This is normal and expected at this age of ME and do it MYSELF. Progressing from ME to
WE can do this together, becoming social and learning to share with others, is part of growing up.
It’s only towards the end of this period that we start seeing the social WE emerging. Your toddler is going to progress from
being a frustrated 1 year old to a 3 year old that can communicate his needs and wants very clearly. In order to do that he
needs to develop through the stages outlined below.
13 - 18 Months
Developmental Checklist
Physical Development
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Walk feely without support
Creep upstairs
Go down stairs backwards
Walk, stop and start
Enjoy pulling toys around
Attempt to throw a ball
Climb onto a low chair
Language and communication
• Jabber with expression
• Speak a minimum of 20 recognisable words towards the
end of the 18 months
• Point to objects when requested to do so
• Start to put two words together
• Follow simple instructions
• Identify at least three different body parts
• Imitate sounds e.g. brrrmmm for a car
• Enjoy sounds - looks up to the sky when hearing a bird or airplane
• Enjoy looking at pictures in books, or pointing at familiar things
Emotional and Social Development
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Say “NO” often, even when he may mean “yes”
Probably be irritable when tired or hungry
Be somewhat anti-social (not wanting to share his toys)
Be extremely curious, wants to explore everything
Become less afraid of strangers - stranger anxiety passes
Still misses mom when she leaves, but it’s better than before
Play alone for short periods of time, provided the toy is age
appropriate and interesting
Warning signs
If at the end of 18 months your child displays any of the following,
please consult a professional for a full assessment:
-
No attempt to walk
No attempt to talk or repeat or copy sounds
No speech
Abnormal grasping of objects
No pincer grip evident
Unable to understand and respond to simple requests
Mouths objects excessively (explores things by putting
them in his mouth)
- Excessive drooling
47