Toddler Developmental

Milestones
How to use: Go through the chart according to your child's age and observe if these milestones
accurately describe how your toddlers abilities. Unless stated otherwise, these milestones describe the
the toddler's ability at the end of that age group. For example: what is listed under 12- 18 months are
milestones that you can expect your toddler to meet by the time they reach 18 months.
Age groups : From 1 to 4 years
What if my toddler hasn't met the milestone: If you see that your toddler has not met a certain
milestone I would strongly suggest that you reach out to your Pediatrician or Occupational Therapist. It
may turn out to not be a developmental delay but perhaps a lack of opportunity to practice specific
skills or a need for a small push in a certain area. However a delayed milestone is always a red-flag that
needs investigating. There is a significant body of research supporting the importance of early
intervention. The sooner the better.

If you have any further questions about toddler

development-
check out otholly.com
or get in contact at support@otholly.com
Toddler developmental milestones by Holly
Peretz
Published by www.otholly.com
© 2020 Holly Peretz
All rights reserved.
No portion of this printable may be reproduced
in any form without permission from the
publisher
For permission contact support@otholly.com
 12-18 Month Milestones
Moves from cruising Crawl up stairs and Throws a ball Climbs up onto chair
to first steps to climb a few steps underhand and turns around to
Gross Motor confidently walking while holding an (while sitting) sit
independently adults hand

Holds crayons with full Able to do simple Able to build 3-4 Turns page of a board
hand and thumb posting blocks or pom block tower book
Fine Motor facing the ceiling. pom activities (ie:
Starts to draw simple releasing in a
scribbles coordinated manner)

Understands that Can point out things Understands and Simple imaginative
people still exist even expects events to
if they cannot see in a picture when play like speaking on
Cognitive follow routines (like
them and remembers asked the routine steps that the phone, rocking a
and asks for things happen when going baby to sleep
(like a doll) to the store)
The milestone for Listens to simple Points to a few body
Follows simple words spoken is 7
Speech and instructions like “Go words. However on songs and stories parts when asked
communication fetch the ball” average children are
able to say 50 words
by 18 months
Start to understand Explores
that other people Shows affection Actively participates
Social and experience feelings: towards familiar in household activities independently while
emotional for example may try people like putting things caregiver is in sight
to comfort someone
who is crying away

Takes off socks and Feeds self with hands Drinks from cup but Can eat and chew
hat or spoon but may still may still have spills most foods
Self-help skills be quite messy

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 18-24 Month Milestones
Running (with legs Jump with 2 feet Start to use ride on Throw a ball into a
stepping in forward box and kick a ball
together and off a toys (like a low push
Gross Motor motion as opposed to
side to side waddle small step bike) and squat down forward
running) to play

Turns page of paper Copies drawing of a Places simple shapes Tears paper
book vertical line effectively into a form
Fine Motor board (square, circle,
triangle)

Better understanding May show interest or Increased memory for Recognizes and
of time. Will attempt to count of daily routines and names familiar people
Cognitive understand phrases
like “not now”, “later”, name colors details. in photographs
“when we get home”

Improved The milestone for May refer to self in Begins to put 2 words
pronunciation of words spoken is 60 together “more
Speech and words. However on the third person
words and less average children are cookie” “where dolly”,
communication
babbling able to say 200-300 “no water”
words by 24 months
May begin to show Routine and Still playing alongside Developmentally difficult
some defiance or independence peers (parallel play) for kids at this age to
but may initiate some understand sharing &
Social and want to do things in a become very
may display behaviours
important to toddlers interactions and enjoy
emotional different way the presence of peers like hitting, pushing,
at this stage pulling hair.

Pulls off shoes, shirt Drinks from cup Better bladder control. Able to bite from a
and pants without spilling Some may be able to piece of food and
Self-help skills chew more effectively.
start daytime potty For example: eating a
training at this point sandwich

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 2-3 Year Old Milestones
Walk up stairs alone Catch a large ball with Stand on one leg for a Lifts and carries large
or holding the beam arms out straight few seconds and ride objects (like a big box
Gross Motor and walks down stairs
a balance bike (don’t or doll)
while holding adults
hand forget the helmet)

Draws dots, horizontal Able to independently Starting to use one Snips with scissors
build with duplo and hand than the other in and hold crayons with
and vertical lines as
Fine Motor blocks as well as drawing but still a digital pronate grip
well as a circle thread big beads on a
switches between
stick.

Able to match and Completes at least 3-4 Understands the Increased imaginary
sort colors and shapes piece puzzle concept of “two” and independent play
Cognitive (like playing cars, dolls
or dress up)

Follows 2 step The spoken word Uses 2-3 word Can sit and listen to
instructions “get the milestone is 250
Speech and words. However on sentences story for longer time
ball and put it in the average children are
communication net”. able to say 1000
words by 3 years
Show awareness or Be assertive and say Mood shifts quickly Plays side by side
verbalise their own no if he does not with peers and should
and may become be able to play simple
Social and feelings as well as want to do something frustrated easily turn taking games by
the end of the year
emotional those of others
(like catch)

Says when they need Self feeding with Able to wash hands Pulls pants up
the toilet and by the with supervision and
end of the year most spoon or fork without independently
Self-help skills are fully potty trained much mess reminding and able to undress
for the daytime.
themselves

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 3-4 Year Old Milestones
Climbs ladder and can Can run up stairs and Able to jump and Play a game of catch
walk on a balance walk down clap at the same (ie: throw and catch a
Gross Motor beam independently time as well as do medium sized ball)
long jumps forward

Imitates drawing a Moves grip into a Can thread small Able to roll and cut
plus sign and simple static tripod grip (3 beads and build with shapes out of
Fine Motor pictures (like balloon fingers) smaller connecting playdough
or face) toys (like rings, lego)

Draws picture of a Names colors and Remembers parts of a Plays simple card and
man with 2-4 body some numbers. familiar story and can board games
Cognitive parts (not Beginning to count recount events
distinguable) and says
out items effectively.
it is a man
The spoken word
Explains events or milestone is 900 Speaks clearly without Asks lots of questions
Speech and memories using up to words. However on repeating syllables “who”, “why”, “how”,
average children are and is generally “when”, “where”
communication 4 sentences at a time able to say 1500-
2500 words by 4 understood

Choosing to play with Enjoys novelty and Talks about what she Shows creativity in
other children  and doing new things like and what interests pretend play (like
Social and plays in a cooperative her being mom, dad, ice
emotional way cream parlor)

Able to dress Able to put on Able to pour water Brushes teeth with
themselves with some sandals and velcro and spread butter some assistance to
Self-help skills
Self-help skills supervision . Learning strap sneakers onto bread make sure each spot
to button large independently has been reached
buttons

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 Good To Know
The way that your toddler develops and the skills he learns now will set the foundation
for the rest of his life.
By age 3, 85% of the brain is already formed! That means the opportunities we provide
for our toddler's to play and meet each milestone is critical.

You may also find the following resources of interest:

Toddler Development: What to look out for between the ages
of 1 and 3 years
10 ways to prepare your toddler for preschool
5 Child development facts that may surprise you
The 5 Best Toddler Sandals
Red Flags for Developmental Delay
10 Signs of Toddler Sensory Issues
How to Stop Toddler Biting

If you have any further questions about toddler

development-
check out otholly.com
or get in contact at support@otholly.com
Toddler developmental milestones by
Holly Peretz
Published by www.otholly.com
© 2020 Holly Peretz
All rights reserved.
No portion of this printable may be
reproduced in any form without
permission from the publisher
For permission contact