Toddler Developmental Milestones

  • A useful guide to parents and babysitters.
  • Toddler refers to a child age 1 to 3 years old.
  • An important period to develop intellectually, emotionally and socially.

Milestones in Intellectual Development

15 to 18 months:

  • Points to familiar objects when looking at books.
  • Says six to 20 words, especially ‘No’
  • Understands simple questions and instructions, such as ‘Where are your pyjamas?’ or ‘Give me your toy’.
  • May know two or three body parts
  • Imitates your gestures
  • Repeats own name

Two Years:

  • Uses 50 or more words and may be putting two or three words together.
  • Understands longer instructions, such as ‘Put the cup on the table’.
  • Understands simple short stories and conversations.
  • Uses pronouns such as ‘me’, ‘you’ and ‘I’. Begins to ask questions.

Three Years:

  • Knows two or three colors and some shapes.
  • Carries on a simple conversation and talks and seems to be continually asking questions, such as “Where”, “What”, and “Why”?
  • Now understands more complex instructions, such as “Please go to your bedroom and fetch your pyjamas”.
  • May be able to count up to 10.
  • Will start understanding concepts such as “today” and “tomorrow”.
  • Can remember some nursery rhymes.

Milestones in Locomotive Development

15 to 18 months:

  • Walks alone.
  • Kneels and crawls upstairs on all fours
  • Walks upstairs by holding on to the rail and putting both feet on each step.
  • Squats down or bends over to pick up a toy without falling.
  • Climbs furniture.
  • Waves goodbye.

Two Years:

  • Runs
  • Walks backwards.
  • Kicks a ball without falling over.
  • Walks on tiptoe.
  • Walks up and down steps with two feet per stair.

Three Years:

  • Can stand on one leg and hop.
  • Walks upstairs with one foot to each stair.
  • May jump from bottom step.
  • Can jump with two feet.
  • Rides a tricycle with two feet on the pedals.
  • Dances to music.

Milestones in Manipulative Development

15 to 18 months:

  • Can build a tower of three bricks.
  • Has started to scribble.
  • Can put a cup to his mouth without spilling.
  • Feeds himself with a spoon, without losing too much food.
  • Takes off his socks.
  • Can do simple puzzles.

Two Years:

  • Can turn door handles.
  • Turns the pages of a book properly.
  • Can put on gloves, shoes and socks.
  • Threads beads, feathers, buttons and a zip.
  • Can unscrew lids from jars.

Three Years:

  • Begins to dress and undress with help.
  • Can build a tower of nine bricks.
  • Draws circles and copies a cross if shown.
  • Eats with a fork and spoon.
  • Holds pen properly.
  • Can pick up small objects.
  • Using both hands, he can pour water from a jug into a cup without too much spillage.