Here's what to expect this month!

At 16 months, your toddler is in exploration mode. They’re more mobile, more expressive, and more determined than ever before. You’ll notice their movements becoming more confident and their efforts to communicate getting clearer by the day. They’re also discovering how their actions influence the world, leading to all kinds of trial-and-error play (including plenty of messes). These everyday moments help them build physical coordination, emotional awareness, and stronger connections.

This month, your toddler is working on 24 new milestones across six key areas: Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Cognitive Development, Social-Emotional Growth, Sensory Processing, and Communication. Whether they’re waving goodbye or checking in with you during playtime, these small actions reflect big developmental leaps.

Is your baby up to the challenge?

Your toddler’s brain is forming new connections at an incredible pace! These connections help them take more steps, remember familiar routines, and even test boundaries. According to developmental experts, this period is all about experimentation, interaction, and gaining a sense of control. It’s a time when toddlers begin to explore independence but still need lots of reassurance and guidance from you. You’ll see them bounce between pushing limits and clinging close, which is all part of learning how to move through the world.

Why this month matters

At 16 months, your child is continuing to build the foundation for important life skills such as language, self-regulation, and problem-solving. Their ability to move around more freely opens up new opportunities for exploration, while their communication skills make it easier to express their needs. Emotional development is also picking up as toddlers learn how to navigate frustration, seek comfort, and share joy. The milestones this month reflect not just physical progress but growing curiosity and connection with the people around them.

What are this month's milestones?

Your toddler’s gross motor skills are coming together as they start walking more independently. You’ll probably still see some tumbles and bumps along the way, which is totally normal. These falls help them learn how to adjust and regain balance. You might also notice them standing or sitting with better control, using their core strength to stay upright. While the movements are still a bit clumsy, they’re becoming more purposeful, helping your child navigate their environment with more confidence.

Fine motor development is taking off as well. Your toddler may begin turning the pages of a board book, sometimes flipping a few at once, or trying to pull off their clothes during changing time. You might even catch them holding up two fingers or using both hands equally during play. These hand and finger skills are laying the groundwork for more advanced tasks like feeding themselves.

Cognitively, this month is all about testing limits and discovering how things work. Your child is starting to experiment with cause and effect, dropping toys to see what happens or repeating actions to get a reaction out of you. You’ll see them using trial and error to solve simple problems like trying different ways to open a container or stack a toy. This stage is filled with curiosity and creative thinking, even if things don’t always go as they had planned. Every slight mishap is a lesson for baby.

Social-emotional growth becomes more noticeable this month. Your toddler might throw a mild tantrum when they get frustrated, and they’re also learning to ask for help from you when they’re struggling. They may “check in” with you while playing to feel secure and want your attention most of the time. They'll even show signs of understanding ownership (like "mine"). These behaviors show how they’re beginning to test out their independence while still relying on you for guidance, comfort, and reassurance.

In the sensory department, toddlers at this stage love getting messy. Whether it’s finger painting, squishing food between their hands, or splashing in the bath, messy play offers a rich opportunity for sensory learning. These activities help them understand texture, pressure, and even emotional regulation as they explore the world through touch.

Communication is evolving rapidly too. While your toddler likely understands much more than they can say, they’re making great progress. You may hear consonant sounds like “t,” “d,” “n,” or “h,” and see them use gestures like waving goodbye or using a symbolic gesture to express a thought. They might call out for you to get your attention or hold up their hand to say “wait.” These are meaningful steps toward more expressive and intentional communication.

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

Every child moves at their own pace, but staying aware of these 16-month milestones can help you understand your toddler’s growth and support them along the way. Whether they’re working on balancing or flipping pages in a book, each skill they develop builds confidence, coordination, and connection. 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 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.