Milestones of Toddler
How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves can offer important clues about their development. The milestones of a toddler are things most children can do by a certain age. These milestones can be split into 4 different groups; physical development, cognitive development, language development, and emotional development. If you are unsure if your toddler is meeting certain milestones, then check our guide below which shows the different ones from the ages of one to three. It is important to note that these are by no means definitive and if your child isn’t hitting every one according to their age, this is no reason to panic. Every toddler develops differently but if you are worried about their development, consult a doctor.
The following information about Milestones of Toddler is adapted from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Milestones of a 1 Year Old Toddler
Milestones of Toddler: Physical
Gets to a sitting position without help
Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture
May take a few steps without holding on
May stand alone
Milestones of Toddler Cognitive:
Explores things in different ways, like shaking, banging, throwing
Finds hidden things easily
Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named
Copies gestures
Starts to use things correctly; for example, drinks from a cup, brushes hair
Bangs two things together
Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container
Lets things go without help
Pokes with index (pointer) finger
Follows simple directions like “pick up the toy”
Milestones of Toddler: Language
Responds to simple spoken requests
Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye”
Makes sounds with changes in tone (sounds more like speech)
Says “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!”
Tries to say words you say
Milestones of Toddler: Emotional
Is shy or nervous with strangers
Cries when mom or dad leaves
Has favorite things and people
Shows fear in some situations
Hands you a book when he wants to hear a story
Repeats sounds or actions to get attention
Puts out arm or leg to help with dressing
Plays games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake
Milestones of an 18 Month Old Toddler
Milestones of Toddler Physical:
Walks alone
May walk up steps and run
Pulls toys while walking
Can help undress herself
Drinks from a cup
Eats with a spoon
Milestones of Toddler Cognitive:
Knows what ordinary things are for; for example, telephone, brush, spoon
Points to get the attention of others
Shows interest in a doll or stuffed animal by pretending to feed
Points to one body part
Scribbles on his own
Can follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures; for example, sits when you say “sit down”
Milestones of Toddler Language:
Says several single words
Says and shakes head “no”
Points to show someone what he wants
Milestones of Toddler: Emotional
Likes to hand things to others as play
May have temper tantrums
May be afraid of strangers
Shows affection to familiar people
Plays simple pretend, such as feeding a doll
May cling to caregivers in new situations
Points to show others something interesting
Explores alone but with a parent close by
Milestones of a 2 Year Old Toddler
Milestones of Toddler: Physical
Stands on tiptoes
Kicks a ball
Begins to run
Climbs onto and down from furniture without help
Walks up and down stairs holding on
Throws ball overhand
Makes or copies straight lines and circles
Milestones of Toddler: Cognitive
Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers
Begins to sort shapes and colors
Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books
Plays simple make-believe games
Builds towers of 4 or more blocks
Might use one hand more than the other
Follows two-step instructions such as “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.”
Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog
Milestones of Toddler Language:
Points to things or pictures when they are named
Knows names of familiar people and body parts
Says sentences with 2 to 4 words
Follows simple instructions
Repeats words overheard in conversation
Points to things in a book
Milestones of Toddler Emotional:
Copies others, especially adults and older children
Gets excited when with other children
Shows more and more independence
Shows defiant behavior (doing what he has been told not to)
Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games
Milestones of a 3 Year Old Toddler
Milestones of Toddler Physical:
Climbs well
Runs easily
Pedals a tricycle
Walks up and downstairs, one foot on each step
Milestones of Toddler Cognitive:
Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts
Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people
Does puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces
Understands what “two” means
Copies a circle with pencil or crayon
Turns book pages one at a time
Builds towers of more than 6 blocks
Screws and unscrews jar lids or turns a door handle
Milestones of Toddler Language:
Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps
Can name most familiar things
Understands words like “in,” “on,” and “under”
Says first name, age, and sex
Names a friend
Says words like “I,” “me,” “we,” and “you” and some plurals (cars, dogs, cats)
Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time
Carries on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences
Milestones of Toddler Emotional:
Copies adults and friends
Shows affection for friends without prompting
Takes turns in games
Shows concern for crying friend
Understands the idea of “mine” and “his” or “hers”
Shows a wide range of emotions
Separates easily from mom and dad
May get upset with major changes in routine
Dresses and undresses self
