Unit 5.4 Developmental milestones for toddlers (18-36 months)

Cognitive & Language/Communication

• Says several single words
• Says and shakes head “no”
• Points to show someone what he wants
• 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 one-step verbal commands without any gestures; for example, sits when you say “sit down”

Movement/Physical Development

• Walks alone
• May walk up steps and run
• Pulls toys while walking
• Can help undress herself
• Drinks from a cup
• Eats with a spoon

At 2 years

• Copies others, especially adults and older children
• Gets excited when with other children
• Shows more and more independence
• Shows defiant behaviour (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 Cognitive & Language/Communication
• 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
• Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers
• Begins to sort shapes and colours
• 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

Movement/Physical Development

• Stands on tiptoe
• 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