Your Toddler’s Year Two Milestones
(15 Months – 24 Months)
Your toddler’s countdown to their second birthday is all about building independence, exploration, and play. Their second year is an exciting time full of big changes as they start saying more words, testing out their new mobility, and expressing their personality.
On this page, you’ll find all of the developmental milestones your toddler should achieve by their second birthday. If you have any questions or concerns about your toddler’s development, reach out to us to schedule a free consultation today.
Your 15-Month-Old’s Developmental Milestones
At 15 months, your toddler’s energy and curiosity is starting to grow. This stage of their development is marked by new levels of exploration and play as your toddler begins to put their new skills to the test every day.
Language & Communication Milestones
- Points to ask for something
- Looks at a familiar toy or object when you name it
- Follows simple directions when you gesture. Example, when you point and say, “Grab your teddy bear”
- Tries to say one or two words besides special parent names, like saying “da” for “dog”
Cognitive Milestones
- Stacks small objects like blocks at least two high
- Imitates using things the right way, like a book or a phone
Social & Emotional Milestones
- Shows you toys or other objects they like
- Claps when happy or excited
- Copies what other children do during playtime
- Hugs a favorite stuffed toy
- Shows you affection with hugs or kisses
Movement Milestones
- Your baby may be taking a few steps or walking independently
Your 18-Month-Old’s Developmental Milestones
By 18 months, your toddler is becoming a little adventurer! This stage of their development is all about building stronger communication skills, curiosity, and confidence as they explore the world around them with more independence.
Language & Communication Milestones
- Follows simple one-step directions without any gestures. Example, when you say “Grab your teddy bear” without pointing
- Tries to say three or more words aside from special parent names
Cognitive Milestones
- Plays with their toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
- Copies the things you do, like cleaning or putting things away
Social & Emotional Milestones
- Moves away from you to play or explore, but looks back to ensure you’re still there
- Looks at a few of the pages in a picture book with you
- Points out things they find interesting
- Helps you by pushing arms through sleeves or lifting up a foot when you’re getting them dressed
- Holds their hands out so you can wash them
Movement Milestones
- Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
- Climbs up and down from a couch or chair without help
- Scribbles with markers or large crayons
- Sits upright on the floor, in a booster seat, or in a highchair
Feeding Milestones
- Feeds themself with fingers, spoons, or forks (even if they make some mistakes)
- Uses tongue to move food from side to side in mouth
- Drinks from a sippy cup or a straw without help
- Drinks from a cup without a lid with some spills
Your 24-Month-Old’s Developmental Milestones
By their second birthday, your toddler has come a long way and is ready to take on new challenges! This stage of their development is full of learning and practicing their new skills, and it’s an exciting milestone for families.
Language & Communication Milestones
- Makes simple sentences with at least two words, like “All gone”
- Points to at least two different parts of their body when you ask them to show you
- Uses different gestures, like nodding “yes” or shaking their head “no”
- Points to things in a book to answer your questions, like “Where is the cat?”
Cognitive Milestones
- Tries to use the knobs, buttons, or switches on toys
- Holds something in one hand while using the other hand
- Plays with multiple toys at once, like feeding toy food to a baby doll
Social & Emotional Milestones
- Looks at your face to see how you react to a new situation
- Pauses and looks when others are hurt or upset
- Looks sad when someone else is sad
Movement Milestones
- Kicks a ball
- Runs
- Walks up a few stairs on their feet (not by climbing)
Feeding Milestones
- Eats successfully with a spoon
- Moves food around mouth, chews, and swallows without spilling
- Drinks from a small cup without a lid and only spills occasionally
Activities Parents Can Do at Home to Support Your Toddler’s Development
Playing and speaking with your toddler every day is a great way to support their growth and development. Here are some fun and easy ways to help them learn at home:
- Language and Communication Skills: Talk to your child throughout the day by describing what you’re doing and asking simple questions. Reading picture books together, singing songs, and asking them to name familiar items can also boost their vocabulary.
- Cognitive Skills: Play with your toddler in ways that encourage problem-solving and understanding cause and effect, such as stacking blocks, sorting toys by color, or hiding toys they then have to find. These activities help develop their thinking skills.
- Social and Emotional Skills: Set up playdates with other toddlers so they can interact with kids their age. Model the positive behavior you want to see in your child, like saying “please” and “thank you.”
- Movement and Physical Skills: Create safe spaces for climbing, jumping, and running to help your toddler strengthen their gross motor skills. Try fun activities like dancing, playing with balls, or setting up simple obstacle courses.
- Fine Motor Skills: Offer toys and activities that involve stacking blocks, stringing beads, or coloring with crayons. Letting your child feed themselves with a spoon or try simple puzzles can also help them build these key skills.
- Feeding Skills: Encourage your toddler to practice self-feeding with finger foods and age-appropriate utensils. Offer a variety of textures, such as soft fruits, vegetables, and crackers, and let them explore new foods (while of course making sure the pieces aren’t a choking hazard). This helps improve their coordination and builds their tolerance of different types of foods for well-rounded nutrition.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Empower your child to overcome the challenges of retained reflexes with Sensational Development. Give us a call at (516) 799-2900 to schedule an evaluation today and find out how we can help your child achieve a sensational future.
