The year from 1 to 2 is when most children go from first wobbly steps to running, and from a word or two to short sentences. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says many toddlers walk on their own between 12 and 15 months and others start at 15 to 18 months, and that words grow from 1 or 2 at about 12 months to 6 or more by 18 months. By 2 years most toddlers combine two words, like "more milk", and many know around 50 words.
The CDC's checklists at 15 months, 18 months and 2 years list skills that 75% or more of children can do by each age. Use them as a "by now" guide. If your toddler is missing several, or has lost a skill, the CDC's advice is to talk to your child's doctor and ask about developmental screening rather than wait.
What are the milestones at 15 months, 18 months and 2 years?
By 15 months
| Area | What most toddlers do by 15 months |
|---|---|
| Social and emotional | Copy other children while playing; show you an object they like; clap when excited; hug a soft toy; show you affection |
| Language | Try to say one or two words besides "mama" or "dada"; look at a familiar object when you name it; follow directions given with a gesture and words; point to ask for something |
| Thinking and learning | Try to use things the right way, like a phone, cup or book; stack at least two small objects |
| Movement | Take a few steps on their own; use fingers to feed themselves some food |
By 18 months
| Area | What most toddlers do by 18 months |
|---|---|
| Social and emotional | Move away from you but check you're close; point to show you something interesting; look at a few pages of a book with you; help with dressing |
| Language | Try to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada"; follow one-step directions without gestures |
| Thinking and learning | Copy you doing chores; play with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car |
| Movement | Walk without holding on; scribble; drink from an open cup; try to use a spoon; climb on and off a couch or chair |
By 2 years
| Area | What most toddlers do by 2 years |
|---|---|
| Social and emotional | Notice when others are hurt or upset; look at your face to see how to react to something new |
| Language | Point to things in a book when asked; say at least two words together; point to at least two body parts; use gestures beyond waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding |
| Thinking and learning | Hold something in one hand while using the other; try switches, knobs or buttons; play with more than one toy at once |
| Movement | Kick a ball; run; walk (not climb) up a few stairs; eat with a spoon |
If your toddler was born more than 3 weeks early, the CDC's online checklist says to use their corrected age, and to use the younger checklist if their age falls between two.
When do toddlers start walking, running and climbing?
The WHO motor development study found healthy children first walked alone anywhere between 8.2 and 17.6 months, with half walking by about 12.0 months. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby gives a similar range of about 10 to 18 months.
| Age | What movement often looks like |
|---|---|
| 12 to 15 months | Stands without support, takes first steps, shakes and bangs things, builds and knocks down piles |
| 15 to 18 months | Walks without holding on, climbs on and off furniture, scribbles, tries a spoon |
| 18 to 24 months | Walks and often runs, kicks and throws a ball, may go downstairs with help, walks up a few stairs |
This table combines the CDC checklists with Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's 12–18 month and 18–24 month pages. Our first steps guide covers cruising, shoes and baby walkers in detail.
How many words should a toddler say at 18 months and 2 years?
Language usually speeds up in the second year, but the range is wide.
| Age | Typical words (sources) |
|---|---|
| About 12 months | 1 or 2 words (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby); a special name for a parent (CDC) |
| 15 months | One or two words besides "mama" or "dada", such as "ba" for ball (CDC) |
| 18 months | 3 or more words besides "mama" or "dada" (CDC); 6 or more words (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby) |
| 18 to 24 months | Between 1 and 7 new words a week (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby) |
| 2 years | Two words together (CDC); about 50 words and 2- or 3-word sentences (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby) |
| 30 months | About 50 words and two or more words together with an action word, like "doggie run" (CDC) |
The sources set their markers differently. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says most toddlers know about 50 words by 24 months, while the CDC's 30-month checklist lists "about 50 words" at 30 months, because it uses the age by which 75% of children have a skill. Either way, joining two words by around 2 years is the key step to watch.
Understanding grows too. By 18 months most toddlers follow a one-step instruction like "give it to me" without you pointing. Our first words guide covers talking, hearing checks and bilingual families.
What else changes between 12 and 24 months?
- Pretend play. Toddlers copy you sweeping or talking on the phone, then start feeding a teddy or "drinking" from a toy cup.
- Playing alongside others. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby calls this "parallel play": being near other children and watching rather than playing together. It is typical at 18 to 24 months.
- Separation anxiety. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says it is usually strongest at about 18 months and eases by 24 months. See separation anxiety.
- Big feelings. Toddlers are learning to manage anger, frustration and excitement, and tantrums are common, especially when hungry or tired. See toddler tantrums.
- Independence. Helping to dress and undress, feeding themselves and wanting to "do it myself" are all part of this year.
How can I help my toddler's development through play?
The NHS guide to helping children talk, the CDC and Pregnancy, Birth and Baby suggest:
- Talk about what you're doing and name things your toddler looks at or points to.
- Model the word, don't correct. If they say "nana", reply "Yes, banana". The NHS says not to criticise or tell them off for getting a word wrong.
- Offer choices ("apple or banana?") so your toddler hears and uses new words.
- Repeat words in everyday phrases and give short, simple instructions ("Get your shoes").
- Play "Where's your nose?" and other body-part games.
- Read, sing and do action songs. The NHS notes that doing the actions helps children remember the words.
- Pretend together with a doll, teddy, toy phone or tea set.
- Let them practise with a spoon, open cup, blocks, push toys and balls, and expect mess.
- Limit TV. The NHS suggests limiting daily TV, and the CDC suggests keeping screens to video calls before age 2. See screen time.
How do I keep a walking, climbing toddler safe?
Falls are the most common reason children are injured and need to go to hospital, according to Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's falls prevention guide. It suggests:
- safety gates at the top of stairs and across doorways to risky rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom
- securing heavy furniture such as TVs, bookcases and dressers that toddlers could climb
- stopping toddlers climbing onto furniture and high places
- making sure your child can't fall from a window or balcony, by locking windows or fitting guards that only open a small gap
- removing trip hazards like loose rugs and cords
- keeping the cot free of anything a toddler could stack and climb on
As fine motor skills improve, toddlers can pick up very small objects, so watch what goes into mouths, ears and noses. Our choking vs gagging guide covers what to do if your toddler chokes.
When should I talk to a GP or child-health nurse?
Call your local emergency number (000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US) now if your toddler
- has difficulty breathing, or is breathing very fast
- has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- is very drowsy, hard to wake or not responding like they normally do
- is having a seizure (fit)
These signs come from the NHS urgent help guide and healthdirect. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby also advises calling an ambulance after a fall from a height of 1 metre or more with a head knock, or if your child passes out or vomits more than once after hitting their head.
See a doctor promptly if your toddler
- loses words, gestures or other skills they had before
- starts to limp, waddle or refuses to walk after they had started walking (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby)
Raise it with your GP or child-health nurse if
| By about | Worth raising if your toddler doesn't |
|---|---|
| 18 months | Walk; use any single words; point, wave or use gestures; follow simple instructions; have pretend play; enjoy eye contact or cuddles; seem to notice when you leave or return |
| 2 years | Use 2-word phrases; know what to do with everyday things like a brush, phone or spoon; copy your actions or words; follow simple instructions; walk steadily |
These lists are from Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. Also mention any worry about hearing or vision. The CDC's screening page says the AAP recommends developmental screening at 18 and 30 months and autism screening at 18 and 24 months, or whenever a parent or doctor has a concern.
What's worth writing down?
A running list of the words your toddler says (and roughly when each appeared) is useful at 18-month and 2-year checks. Note when they first walked alone, and anything they used to do but have stopped. A short video of how they walk, play or communicate can help a professional see what you see.
