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
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Shows continuing interest in names of objects
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Names simple objects in a book
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Knows how household items are used (a spoon to eat, a telephone to talk)
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Names at least six body parts
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Uses toys when pretending to do everyday tasks (feeding a stuffed animal)
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Remembers favorite items that are out of sight (crackers in cupboard, a toy in toy box)
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Follows two-step requests
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May begin to organize items by category—size or type, for example
Motor
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Stands on tiptoes
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Walks with balance along curbs or logs
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Runs
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Climbs well
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Navigates stairs, up and down
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Kicks a ball
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May jump
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Throws overhand
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Uses pincer grip accurately
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Manipulates toys appropriately
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Able to turn knobs, push buttons
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Able to turn pages one at a time
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Uses a spoon and possibly a fork
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Stacks up to six blocks
Communication
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May use 50 to 70 words
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Uses simple phrases or puts two words together (“all gone”)
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May say first sentence, 18 to 30 months
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Sings
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May refer to self by name, especially instead of saying “I“
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May ask, “Why?”
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About half of speech is understandable to strangers
Social
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Shows poor impulse control
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Prone to tantrums
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Makes broad, often quick emotional shifts
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May show changing preference for one parent or the other
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Becomes more interested in playing with other children
