Developmental Milestones for Your Toddler’s Second Year
This guide breaks down the key developmental milestones your toddler should reach between 15 months and 24 months old. Understanding these milestones is the first step to actively supporting your toddler’s growth and setting them up for a lifetime of success. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the Metro Therapy team at (763) 450-9400 today and we’ll be happy to help.
Development at 15 Months Old
By the time your baby is about 15 months old, they should achieve the following new skills:
Speech & Language
Looks at familiar things like toys when you name them
Points to ask for something they want
Starts learning and using more new words
Follows simple directions when you use hand gestures
Cognitive
Stacks small objects like blocks or other toys
Mimics how you use objects like a cellphone or book
Movement
Takes a few steps without holding on to anything
Social & Emotional
Shows you toys or other objects they like
Claps to show excitement or happiness
Gives you hugs or kisses
Hugs stuffed animals, dolls, etc.
Feeding
Drinks from a sippy cup on their own
Feeds themselves better with utensils
Drinks from a straw without help
Development at 18 Months Old
By the time your toddler is about 18 months old, they should achieve the following new skills:
Speech & Language
Knows and uses about 50 words (even if only family understands)
Follows simple directions given without hand gestures
Shakes head for no and nods for yes
Cognitive
Plays with toys in simple ways
Copies the way you do things like chores
Movement
Walks without holding onto anything
Uses a marker or crayon to scribble on paper
Climbs on and off furniture without help
Social & Emotional
Looks at the pages of a book with you
Holds out their hands for you to wash
Moves away from you to play or explore, but keeps an eye on where you are
Helps you by moving arms or legs when you dress them
Feeding
Chews food on both sides of their mouth
Drinks from regular cups with minimal spilling
Development at 24 Months Old
By the time your toddler is about two years old, they should achieve the following new skills:
Speech & Language
Puts two words together to form simple ideas like “More milk”
Points to things when you ask where they are
Knows and uses 50+ words and simple phrases
Cognitive
Plays with multiple toys at a time, like putting a baby doll in a toy stroller
Uses both hands to handle objects, like holding a cup while taking off its lid
Uses the buttons, knobs, etc. on a toy
Movement
Runs on their own
Walks up a few stairs
Can kick a ball
Social & Emotional
Looks at you to judge how to react to new situations
Pauses or shows sympathy when someone else is hurt or sad
Feeding
Able to move food around mouth, chew, and swallow without spilling
Uses utensils with more confidence
Frequently Asked Questions
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Toddlers should have a vocabulary of at least 50 words by 24 months. The average vocabulary seize at 24 months is 200 to 300 words.
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Have conversations, read books together, and label objects in the environment (like saying, “Sit with me on the couch,” or “That’s a pretty flower”). Encourage them to communicate by asking simple questions and allowing them time to respond.
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Yes, tantrums are common at this age as toddlers explore their independence and learn how to express their emotions. The best thing to do is try to show them how to handle those big feelings by modeling the behavior you want to see. If the temper tantrums seem very severe or last for very long periods of time, you can always check with your child’s pediatrician or our pediatric therapists for more specialized advice.
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Some toddlers are ready to try using the potty around 24 months, but many don’t start till about 3 years old. Look for signs like staying dry for longer periods, showing interest in the toilet, and communicating discomfort. Introduce a child-size potty or toilet seat to help them get used to the idea, and praise their efforts.
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Yes, toddlers can be picky eaters. Offer a variety of nutritious foods, and involve them in meal preparation. Be patient, and introduce new foods gradually. If you’re worried about their nutrition, or if mealtimes are turning into warzones at home, it’s a good idea to get a screening from our feeding therapists to help your child learn to enjoy a variety of foods.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents start weaning their child from the bottle around 12 months and stop using it altogether by 18 months. This is important because the sucking and swallowing motions that babies make when using bottles are not the same as the motions they need to make to swallow solid foods or drink from cups. Weaning from the bottle is a vital step to support your child’s feeding and speech development.
Schedule a Free Screening
At Metro Therapy in Fridley, MN, we celebrate each milestone your toddler achieves. If you have any concerns about their development, or if you just want to ensure your child is making good progress on their milestones, our expert pediatric therapists are here to support you. Schedule a free screening and help your toddler be the very best they can be.