Find out what the 19 milestones your child is working on this month!

At 18 months, your toddler will be busy showing you just how much they've grown. You might notice them exploring their space while they still need lots of your attention. You might see them initiating play by bringing you toys or climbing all over the furniture to show off their mastery of walking and balance. This month your toddler will be excited to show you how independent they are becoming.

As your child grows they are constantly practicing and building skills across five key areas including: Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Cognitive Development, Social-Emotional Development, and Communication. Each new skill provides them with they skills they need to continue to grow!

Is your baby up to the challenge?

At this stage, your child is beginning to combine movement, play, communication, and learning in many new ways. They are no longer watching what is happening around them, they are getting involved more than ever before! By copying you and helping you in their own ways, your toddler is showing that they understand more and want to play an active role in their environments.

Of course your baby still needs plenty of support, but with every new skill, your little one shows more understanding and independence.

Why this month matters?

18 months brings big changes in how your child interacts with people and objects. They are continuing to show preferences and beginning to follow instructions. These small moments, such as showing you a picture in a book, or pointing to something exciting, are signs that your toddler is learning to communicate and connect in more intentional ways. Each of these milestones helps prepare them for even more independence in the months ahead. [3]

What are this month's milestones?

Gross Motor Skills:

As for gross motor skills, your toddler is getting much steadier on their feet. At this age, they should be able to squat to pick something up and stand back up without falling. As the CDC notes, “At 18 months, your child should be able to walk without holding on to anyone or anything,” [3]. Many toddlers also like climbing onto a couch or any other low furniture, and they may often practice going up and down just for fun. They will be showing better and better coordination as time goes on.

Fine Motor Skills:

At this point, even the smallest movements are becoming more controlled. They might enjoy scribbling with crayons and turning pages in board and picture books. They might even begin helping with dressing by pushing their arms and legs through their clothes. These skills take practice lots of practice, and while they may look simple, they all play an important role in building coordination.

Cognitive Development:

Toddlers this age are starting to use objects the "right way"; things like holding a phone to their ear or using a brush in an attempt to brush their hair. They can usually follow simple directions and may point to body parts when asked what or where they are. Imitating chores, such as wiping a table or sweeping, shows just how much they are paying attention to your daily routine. These everyday actions give them a chance to connect their words, ideas, and actions in a way that makes a big difference.

Social-Emotional Development:

This is a time for even stronger connections. Your toddler may constantly check that you are nearby, bring you toys to initiate play, or sit with you to look through a book. Helping with small tasks, like putting toys into a bin, makes them feel included and proud of themselves. This sense of involvement is key to building confidence and helps them understand how they fit into their environments and family.

Communication:

Their language is growing every day. Toddlers at this point should be able to say least five words besides “mama” and “dada,” and some may know closer to 10-20. They will also follow simple instructions without needing gestures and be able to combine words with actions. This includes things such as connecting a wave with "hi" or "bye" or shaking their head to say "no".

At 18 months, your toddler is building on the skills they’ve already been practicing, adding more words, practicing independence, and showing you new ways they can be involved. From mastering walking to following simple directions, each milestone reflects their growing understanding of themselves and the world around them.

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 18-month milestones can give you a better sense of how they’re developing and where they’re headed next. 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.