Discover the 19 milestones your toddler will explore this month!

At 15 months, your toddler is starting to feel a whole lot more independent and they're showing it much more. This month, you might notice them call for your attention, or even wave their hand to say “wait.” Their growing sense of self is matched by more expressive gestures, and an eagerness to be involved in everyday routines.

This month, your child is working on about 20 new milestones across key areas: Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Cognitive Development, Social-Emotional Development, and Communication. These new skills are all about making choices, staying engaged, and joining in on what’s happening around them.

Is your baby up to the challenge?

Your toddler is becoming more in tune with their body and voice, as well as with their surrounding environments. Their brain is building on months of rapid growth and now it’s supporting more complex coordination and communication. [1] From silly behaviors to expressive hand gestures, toddlers at this stage are learning mostly through direct interaction. They’re not just reacting anymore, they’re taking part, helping out, and testing out their independence one new milestone at a time.

This month, your baby will show even more independence, signs of growing understand and more complex communication.

Why this month matters?

At 15 months, your child is starting to express opinions more clearly and show strong preferences. They’re figuring out how to communicate what they want as well as what they don’t. This is a big month for social development too, as your toddler begins to help with simple chores and daily tasks, assert their independence, and respond more intentionally in conversation. These early steps in self-awareness and communication are critical building blocks for confidence, and future problem-solving. [2]

What are this month's milestones?

As for gross motor skills, your toddler’s movement is showing more control and strength every single day. You might see them walking on their own in a wide-legged, arms-up stance that helps with balance. It might not be the smoothest walk, but it's full of determination and will help them to walk unsupported for longer periods of time. They may also start squatting to grab a toy and pushing themselves back up using their hands which is a big sign of growing muscle coordination. Some toddlers will be able to kneel without support as they lean or reach for something nearby, showing they’re becoming more confident in how their body moves and supports them.

Their fine motor skills are developing just as fast. You might notice your toddler working to take off their shoes, sometimes getting it, sometimes not. They may wave their hand in front of their face, or hold up a thumbs-up when something goes their way. These small hand movements are a big deal. They show that your child’s coordination and control are improving, and they’re also early ways of expressing themselves without words.

Cognitively, your toddler is soaking in more than ever. Simple books are becoming more engaging; they might sit and flip through pages on their own, point at images they recognize, or want you to read the same book over and over. They’re starting to connect pictures with meaning and will show interest in rhyming and repetition. These small moments are doing important work in developing memory, focus, and even early literacy.

Socially and emotionally, your toddler is leaning into their connections. They may bring you toys as a way to invite you to play or do something silly to try to get a laugh out of you. Helping with chores like handing you a wipe or placing blocks back in a bin makes them feel included. They're also learning that they can say “no,” or show resistance when something doesn’t go their way. This isn’t just stubbornness, it’s your toddler beginning to understand themselves as an individual with their own wants, and sense of humor.

And then there’s communication, which is really starting to take off. Many 15 month old's have about 10 words or expressive sounds they use (and understand the meaning of), and they’re getting better at using gestures alongside speech. They might answer your questions with a nod, call for you across the room, or hold up a hand to signal “wait.” You might even get a thumbs-up now and then, which is pretty impressive coordination. These little exchanges show your child’s growing understanding of how communication works and how to use it to connect, ask, refuse, and share excitement.

Work Cited:

1. “The Development and Shaping of the Brain.” Discovering the Brain,

2. “Understanding why your child’s brain is so amazing!” Parenting. Give it Time, Llywodraeth Cymru Welsh Government,

3. CDC, Developmental Milestones

   
   

How many of this month's milestones has your baby mastered?

Tracking your toddler’s 15-month milestones can give you a better sense of how they’re developing and where they’re headed next. Whether they’re waving “wait,” or laughing at their own jokes, each milestone is a step forward in building independence and personality. With a Basic Membership for just $2 per month, you can track all 812 milestones your child is expected to reach by age 4. Stay on top of your baby’s progress and celebrate every exciting new skill along the way!

Create a free account with Fledglings' Flight and get access to 4820 screen-free, play-based exercises. That is 100-200 exercises each month that you can start doing with your baby from the day that they are born to help them to develop into the best version of themselves. In addition, your free account gives you access to 1200+ articles on child development to keep you informed while you help to navigate your child's developmental journey.