Developmental milestones for 18-month-olds: Physical, cognitive, social, and language milestones

Physical development milestones

At 18 months, your child becomes more independent and gains better control over their body. You'll likely notice significant progress in gross motor skills (large movements involving the legs, arms, and torso) and fine motor skills (smaller, more precise movements involving the hands and fingers).

Gross motor skills

Typical gross motor milestones include:

• Walking steadily: Your toddler may walk more steadily, with little to no help, and stop, turn, or change direction more smoothly.
• Climbing: Many 18-month-olds love to climb, whether onto furniture, up stairs (with supervision), or on playground equipment. This skill is a sign that your child is gaining strength and coordination.
• Pulling toys while walking: Your child may enjoy pulling toys on a string behind them while they walk, signaling their growing balance and coordination.
• Kicking a ball: Although this skill will continue to improve as they age, many toddlers show interest in kicking a ball around this time.

Fine motor skills

Common fine motor milestones at this age include:

• Turning pages of a book: It may not be perfect, but your child might be able to turn the pages of a book.
• Stacking blocks: Toddlers at this age often play by stacking blocks or other objects, which is a change associated with hand-eye coordination and patience.
• Using a spoon: Though a bit messy at first, many 18-month-olds start trying to use a spoon to feed themselves. At this age, they will continue to feed themselves with their hands and fingers.
• Drawing or scribbling: You might notice your toddler enjoys holding a crayon or marker and drawing or scribbling. These early skills prepare them for writing later.

Talk to your child’s pediatrician if your 18-month-old:

• Is not walking on their own
• Has a hard time climbing stairs or can’t push or pull toys while walking
• Has a hard time holding objects, stacking blocks, or using their fine motor skills

Cognitive and language development milestones

At 18 months, your toddler’s brain is growing rapidly, which supports development in problem-solving, language, and communication.

Problem-solving

Here are some common ways 18 month olds exercise their problem-solving skills:

• Trial and error: Your toddler may try different ways to solve a challenge, like trying various ways to fit a shape into a shape sorter. 
• Simple puzzles: Many 18-month-olds show interest in simple puzzles, like stacking rings or placing items in matching slots. 
• Figuring out how things work: Children at this age are curious about how things work and may enjoy opening and closing containers or doors, pressing buttons, or pushing chairs around to reach higher objects. 

Language development

Many 18-month-olds begin to understand and use a broader range of words and phrases. You may notice:

• Growing vocabulary: Your toddler may have a vocabulary of 10 to 20 words, although some children may know even more, and others may know less. At this age, the CDC suggests that children should say at least three words besides “mama” or “dada.” Common words include names of familiar people, body parts, and everyday objects like “milk,” “ball,” or “dog.”
• Imitating words and sounds: Your child will likely start mimicking the words and sounds they hear from you or others. They might repeat a word you say or try to imitate the sounds animals make. 
• Naming objects: As your toddler’s vocabulary grows, they may begin naming things they see, whether pointing to a car and saying “car” or showing you their shoes and saying “shoes.”
• Understanding simple commands: By 18 months, most toddlers can follow simple one-step commands like “Come here” or “Give me the toy.” 

Communication skills

Language is an important part of communication, but non-verbal communication is also essential and continues to develop. Examples of 18 month olds’ verbal and non-verbal communication abilities include:

• Gesturing: If your toddler doesn’t have the words to express something, they’ll often use gestures, like pointing at an object they want or shaking their head to say “no.”
• Combining words and gestures: You might notice your child using a combination of words and gestures to communicate more effectively. For example, they might point to their cup and say “water” when they want a drink.
• Expressing emotions: While 18-month-olds are still learning to manage their emotions, they can increasingly communicate their feelings. They may show frustration if they can’t solve a problem or clap excitedly when they achieve something new.

You can encourage your child’s continued language and communication development by talking to them frequently, reading books, and responding to their attempts to communicate. 

Talk to your child’s pediatrician if your 18-month-old:

• Doesn’t appear to be interested in or curious about their surroundings
• Cannot follow simple, one-step instructions
• Speaks fewer than ten words
• Doesn’t respond to their name
• Doesn’t mimic words or sounds you make

Social and emotional development milestones

Your child will also progress socially and emotionally at this age. They may become more interested in interacting with others and exploring — or demanding — their independence. 

Interaction with others

Here’s what you can expect in their interactions with others:

• Parallel play: Toddlers at 18 months often engage in "parallel play," where they play next to other children but not necessarily with them. For example, your child might sit beside another child, playing with his toys but not interacting with the other child. 
• Simple social games: Your toddler may enjoy basic interactive games like peek-a-boo or “chase.” 
• Imitating others: Your toddler may try to copy what you or others are doing, whether pretending to talk on the phone, cooking in a toy kitchen, or sweeping with a play broom. 
• Beginning to show empathy: Your toddler may notice when someone is upset and offer comfort, such as hugging you if you pretend to cry or patting a sibling on the back if they’re hurt.

Independence

Seeing your child attempting to do things on their own can be an exciting and challenging stage for parents. You may notice:

• An “I can do it!” attitude: Your toddler may insist on doing things by themselves, from feeding themselves, putting on their shoes (even if they’re on the wrong feet), or trying to open doors. 
• Exploring boundaries: At 18 months, toddlers often test limits, a natural part of developing independence. For example, your child may throw a toy after you’ve asked them not to, just to see how you’ll respond. 
• Showing preferences: Toddlers at this age start to have strong likes and dislikes. They may refuse to wear a certain outfit, demand a specific snack, or choose the same book over and over.
• Separation anxiety: During toddlerhood, there is a back-and-forth between wanting independence and needing comfort. For example, your child may cling to you when you drop them off at daycare, but after a while, they settle into their surroundings and enjoy themselves. 

Talk to your child’s pediatrician if your 18-month-old:

• Avoids eye contact
• Doesn’t show interest in interacting with you or other familiar people
• Doesn’t show affection with hugs, kisses, or cuddles
• Avoids simple play (like peek-a-boo) or parallel play

Do 18-month-olds have temper tantrums?

Temper tantrums — or simply “tantrums” — are typical for your child’s development. Your child is still learning to manage their emotions, a skill that takes years to develop and master. Tantrums are often a result of overwhelming emotions like frustration or anger. Helping your child get through a tantrum by being near them until they can regain control can be helpful.

Developmental screenings for toddlers

Toddlers have two developmental screenings: one at 18 months and another at 30 months. Toddlers should also have an autism screening at 18 months and 24 months, where you will complete a questionnaire about your child.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s development, speak to your local pediatrician or text a Summer Health pediatrician about them early on. Don’t wait until their scheduled screening. Identifying any issues early can help your child get any support they may need more quickly.