Toddler
Development in month 18
Development month by month — what your baby is learning now, what to watch, and how to support.
Motor milestones
- ●Walks steadily, starts running
- ●Climbs on and off sofas
- ●Builds tower of 6 blocks
- ●Scribbles purposefully
Cognitive milestones
- ●Recognises 5+ body parts
- ●Sorts by colour or shape simply
- ●Understands ‘mine’ and ‘yours’
Social and emotional milestones
- ●Multi-step role play
- ●Shows clear empathy
- ●First friendships in playgroups
Language milestones
- ●30–50 words active
- ●First two-word sentences (‘mama, eat!’)
Red flags — when to see the paediatrician?
- ●Fewer than 10 words
- ●Points at nothing
- ●No response to own name
- ●Uses no gestures
Activity ideas
- ✓Name colours and shapes
- ✓Role play with dolls and teddies
- ✓Routine books (‘good night’)
- ✓Messy play with water and sand
Common concerns and tips
Language ‘vocabulary explosion’ between 18–24 months: some children go from 50 to 200 words in a few months. If yours has fewer, don’t panic — but mention at paediatrician.
Development varies. This information is based on WHO and CDC milestones but does not replace paediatric assessment. If in doubt, consult your paediatrician.
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