12-18 Month Developmental Milestones

Home
For Families
Early Childhood Development
Early Childhood Milestones
12-18 Month Developmental Milestones Current Page

Movement and Physical Development

Normal Development

Walks alone
May walk up steps and run
Pulls toys while walking
Can help undress herself
Drinks from a cup
Begins using spoon
Can stack 3-6 cubes

Possible Challenges from Treatment

May regress in previously mastered skills

Ways to Help

Encourage physical activities to build strength and regain skills
Make physical activity playful
Offer a play mat to encourage out-of-bed play

As part of normal development, your child may be able to stack 3-6 blocks and begin using a spoon.

Language and Communication

Normal Development

Says a few words
Says and shakes head “no”
Points to show someone what he wants

Possible Challenges from Treatment

May have difficulties expressing themselves
Might be slower to respond due to stranger anxiety
Hearing problems may be possible in some cases.

Ways to Help

Read to your baby and point to the words and pictures on the page
Praise your child for using his or her words
Sing and talk to your child throughout the day using new words they may not know
Follow directions for proper hearing aid use if prescribed.

Social and Emotional

Normal Development

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 parent close by

Possible Challenges from Treatment

May be more cautious around new people
May display increased fussiness or tantrums
Separation from caregivers during procedures
May have more tantrums and say “no” more often
Limited choices limits independence and control

Ways to Help

Help your child begin to learn feelings words by naming his or her feelings
Encourage play with medical items to help your child process feelings and feel more in control
Provide a lot of affection and attention to help your baby feel secure
Encourage exposure to other children by participating in play groups when possible
Try to maintain a loose schedule to help your child feel secure and know what to expect

As part of normal development, your child may be able to show affection to familiar people.

Thinking and Learning

Normal Development

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”

Possible Challenges from Treatment

May have more difficulty understanding/following directions

Ways to Help

Encourage your child to explore new sensory experiences. Allow them to get messy sometimes.
Children learn by trying new things. Allow your child to make mistakes.
Encourage play activities that involve art, music, movement, books, and pretending
Limit screen time (TV and tablet)