You believe your toddler is developing the right skills at the right time, but how can you be completely sure? Do you find yourself comparing them to other children? Or do you simply let them develop at their own pace? And what happens if they struggle with certain tasks?

It can be tricky trying to track your child’s progress as they get older. And it’s even harder if you feel they’re not reaching their fullest potential quickly enough.

But don’t worry! We’re here to take you through a guide of major milestones in each area of development, and explain what your child should be able to achieve by the time they’re 1 – 2 years old.

Just a quick reminder; children develop at their own pace. Please don’t overthink or stress if they’re not meeting these milestones the moment they turn 1 – 2. These are guidelines, they’re not set in stone.

So, let’s begin with the movement milestones.

Movement:

Perfecting walking is the major physical accomplishment of this first year, but if your little one hasn’t started walking yet, they should begin within the next 6 months. Thereafter, it will take them another month or 2 to stand on their own and move slowly without any support. If your little one isn’t walking by 18 months, we recommend that you take them to a paediatrician.

Initially, they’ll waddle (or toddle) rather than walk, lurching from side to side as they move forward. But before long, you’ll be running to keep up with them. They’ll be plenty of falls and stumbles, especially when they’re walking on uneven surfaces, but once they’ve been walking for 3 months or so, they’ll be able to bend and pick things up, push, throw and pull items mid-stance, step sideways and backwards, and even throw a ball while walking.

After six months of walking, their walking style will have matured greatly and they may even be able to conquer stairs (with your help). Soon, they’ll run for short and stiff little bursts!

What are the movement milestones?

Walks alone

Walks up and down stairs, 2 feet per step, with someone holding their hand

Pulls toys behind them as they walk

Can carry several toys

Begins to run

Can stand on their tiptoes

Squats to pick things up

Climbs up and down furniture without help

Can sit in small chairs

Hand and finger (motor) skills:

With all the walking that will be going on, it’s easy to overlook the development of hand and finger skills, but there’s plenty of growth in these areas that’s happening. They’ll be able to use their hands singly and together, allowing greater control and precision when holding and playing with objects. This improved hand-eye coordination will make exploring their world that much more fun. They’ll likely enjoy building with blocks, covering and uncovering items, turning pages and scribbling, all of which help to develop their spatial awareness. They’ll also be able to fold paper (if you show them how) and take certain toys apart.

By 2 years old, your toddler may demonstrate a strong tendency towards one hand, but some children don’t show a preference for a few more years.

What are the hands and finger skills milestones?

Scribbles spontaneously

Can build a tower of 4 blocks or more

Throws a small ball a few feet while standing

Takes objects out of containers and puts them back

Turn over containers to empty contents

Can hold and make marks with crayons

May use one hand more than the other

Language development:

During early toddlerhood, there will likely be a point where your toddler will suddenly seem to understand almost everything you say. You’ll announce that it’s time for dinner and find them climbing up to sit at the table. Or you’ll wonder out loud where you left your hat, only to have them find it for you. This giant developmental leap will likely come out of nowhere and will probably be rather surprising, but it means they’re on the right track.

During this period, read and speak to them as much as possible, as the more words they hear, the more they’ll understand. Ask your child questions and answer any questions they pose for you.

You can now adjust how you speak to them too, speaking slowly and clearly, replacing the high-pitched tone you may have been using previously, and you can teach them the correct words for the items they interact with.

By 24 months, most toddlers know around 50 words and will be able to put 2 words together (though this will vary from child to child). They will likely struggle with certain vowels and consonants, but you mustn’t laugh when they’re trying to communicate something. Be patient and responsive and their pronunciation will improve. You can also help them by extending the words they say into sentences. If they say “Lunch”, you can say, “You want to have lunch now?”

What are the language milestones?

Can point to objects when they’re named for them

Uses the names of familiar people, objects and body parts

By 15 to 18 months they use 6 to 10 words (besides names)

Uses 2 to 4-word sentences

Can follow a verbal command without a gesture

Repeats words overheard in conversation

Identifies at least 2 body parts

Speaks in jargon

Cognitive development:

You may have noticed that your child’s ability to concentrate has greatly improved, though they’ll only be interested in solving problems appropriate to their age level. This will likely include mechanical devices such as switches and buttons, knobs and wind-up toys. Encourage these games and activities so they can gather as much information to help them to problem-solve further. They will also find a new passion in imitation. All of a sudden they’ll try to brush their hair as you do, babble nonsense words down the phone and push their toy pram back and forth; so be aware of the behaviours you are modelling. And soon they’ll involve others in their imitative play.

Sometime before their second birthday, they’ll begin to excel at hiding games, hiding objects and themselves. This will help them to understand and feel comfortable with separation from you, teaching them that you will always come back. If you’re working during the day, showing them where you go allows them to create a mental image of you there, making separation easier.

You may notice that after having done something special, they will pause as though for applause. Respond to these cues to encourage their continued learning. Although this is not to say that they’ve fully grasped the concept of consequences. While they may recognise that a door swings open and closed, they won’t yet have learnt to keep their hand well clear or risk getting hurt. So, until they’ve mastered common sense, you’ll have to remain extra vigilant.

What are the cognitive milestones?

Finds objects even when they are hidden under 2 or 3 covers

Can sort by shapes and colours

Begins make-believe play

Social development:

In a toddler’s world, everything happens in relation to them. They aren’t interested in the thoughts and feelings of others, and instead, imagine that people think as they do. For this reason, toddlers are often seen to be egocentric or self-centred. This can make social play a little difficult at times. While your child will enjoy playing alongside and watching other children, cooperating and sharing will prove difficult. So you’re sure to see plenty of tears and episodes of hitting.

If your child has friends over, provide plenty of toys and be prepared to act as a referee. When they show signs of possessiveness towards their toys, let them know that the other child is simply “taking a look at it and they won’t take it home”. It will also help to put any prized possessions away during playdates. Toddlers don’t have a great deal of restraint when upset, so do be ready to step in, remove them and tell them “we don’t hit.”

By 18 months, your little one will be able to identify themselves in the mirror and say their own name. And as they approach 2, they can even begin to wash their own hands (if shown how) and help to dress and undress themselves.

During this period, make sure to model healthy social interactions, and encourage kindness, sharing and helping.

What are the social milestones?

Imitates the behaviours of others

Aware of themselves as separate from others

Increasingly enthusiastic about the company of other children

Drinks from a cup with very little spilling

Points to ask for something or to get help

Engages with others in play

Helps to dress and undress themselves

Points to pictures in books

Points to objects of interest

Emotional development:

During the year, your 1-year-old will flit back and forth between independence and clinginess. Now that they can walk, they’ll love exploring and using the new skills they’ve acquired, but they won’t yet feel entirely comfortable as an individual, separate from everyone else.

One moment they’ll turn their back, the next, they’ll come running up to you for a hug – it’s impossible to predict. Give them attention and reassurance when they need it, but let them be separate from you also. If you’re leaving for a moment, give them a kiss and let them know you’ll be back, and offer plenty of attention when you return. In this way, they learn that you will always return and continue to love them. Extending goodbyes or sneaking away can make separation anxiety worse.

What are the emotional milestones?

Demonstrates increasing independence

Begins to show defiant behaviour

Increasing episodes of separation anxiety

What are the developmental milestones for my 1 - 2-year-old?