A toddler is a child between the ages of one to three years old. During this period, the child learns a great deal about social roles and develops motor skills.
The toddler developmental timeline shows what an average toddler can do at what age. Times vary greatly from child to child. It is not uncommon for some toddlers to master certain skills (such as walking) well before other skills (like talking). Even close siblings can vary greatly in the time taken to each key milestones.
If a child is 'behind' in some areas, do not consider it a problem without first consulting with a professional.
Most children are toilet trained while they are toddlers.
| Age |
Physical |
Mental |
Emotional |
| 12 - 15 Months |
- Stand alone well.
- Drink from a cup (poorly).
- Turn pages in a book (a few at a time).
- Play ball by rolling or tossing it.
|
- Use words for parents such as "ma-ma" "da-da"
- Use one or two other words such as "ball", "cracker", or "cookie"
- Can follow a simple command with an associated gesture, such as: bringing a cup to you when you point at it and say "Please bring me the cup".
- Object Permanence: Realizes things still exist when they are out of sight, such as a toy block placed into a closed box.
|
- Use gestures or words to convey desires, such as: Pointing a book, raising arms to be picked up, or saying "cup".
- Mimic actions such as covering eyes while playing peek-a-boo .
|
| 15 - 18 Months |
- Walk well alone.
- May be able to bend down and stand up without help.
- Hold a crayon well enough to scribble .
- Lift cup up to mouth for drinking.
- Climb onto furniture.
|
- Knows 2 or 3 words.
- May be able to follow a command without a gesture.
- Stack 2 blocks.
|
|
| 18 - 24 Months |
- Feed self with a spoon.
- Run.
- Climb into a small chair.
- Walk up steps.
|
- Speaks 6 words.
- Knows a few body parts.
- Stack 3 or 4 blocks.
- Understands non-physical relationships such as turning on lights or pushing buttons.
- Sorting toys.
- Searching for hidden objects.
- Problem solving through experimentation.
|
- Can play turn taking games.
|
| 24 - 36 Months |
- Advanced mobility and climbing skills.
- Increased dexterity with small objects, puzzles.
- Able to dress oneself.
|
- Speaking in short sentences.
- Easily learns new words, places and people's names.
- Anticipates routines.
- Plays with toys in imaginative ways.
- Attempts to sing in-time with songs.
|
- Knows boys from girls.
- Shows preferences, such as clothes and entertainment.
|
Even when toddlers can walk they are often transported in a buggy (pushchair, push-chair), when they are tired, or to increase speed.
