Discover the 16 new skills your 22-month-old may be practicing right now!

At 22 months, your toddler is full of curiosity! They’re paying closer attention to how things and people work, doing things like turning knobs, testing doors, and trying to do everything they see you do. You might notice them walking backward just to see if they can, carrying a toy in one hand and a snack in the other, or copying the way you sweep the floor. Each action shows a stronger sense of coordination and examples of early problem solving.

Every day, their growing mind connects movement, language, and emotion in new ways across five key areas: Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Cognitive Development, Social-Emotional Development, and Communication. These small but mighty changes are proof that your toddler is learning new things everyday.

Is your baby up to the challenge?

As your child nears two years old. A key part of 22 month milestones is observation and experimenting. They notice the tiniest things like how you stir your coffee. You might catch them trying to repeat these actions on their own and not just for fun, but because they're curious to try for themselves. This kind of imitation and experimentation shows how quickly their understanding of the world is expanding.

At 22 months, your child may try open doors, walk backward to test their balance, and surprise you with just how much they're able to remember.

Why this month matters?

Your toddler isn’t just moving around anymore, they’re copying and experimenting with persistence. They’ll begin to try to undress themselves, open every drawer they can reach, and insist on doing things by themselves. Each attempt, even the unsuccessful ones, helps them build confidence and coordination. Now, they're not just curious about what things do, but how they work.

What are this month's milestones?

Gross Motor Skills:

Your 22-month-old is moving with growing balance and confidence. They might walk backward a few steps without losing their balance or stand on their tiptoes while trying to reach something. If they're holding your hand, they may even be able to balance on one foot. You might also see them carrying more than one toy while walking. These exciting changes reveal that they're continuing to learn coordination and stability.

Fine Motor Skills:

This month, your toddler’s hands are busy. They'll open drawers, try to open doors with knobs they can reach, take off their socks, or even attempt to help you with buttons or zippers. They’ll likely insist on holding their own books and will be able to flip through the pages without a problem. Simple tasks like opening containers, or flipping switches help them practice their hand movements and strength. They'll love to see the effect that their actions have on the world around them.

Cognitive Development:

They're thinking skills are sharper than ever! You might see your child using multiple toys at once or playing with them in a sequence. Sorting games involving color, shape, or size may hold their attention for longer amounts of time. Curiosity drives much of what they do, so don’t be surprised if they spend several minutes experimenting with the smallest things; like a button on a shirt. This problem-solving and early reasoning shows just how quickly their brain is connecting ideas.

Social-Emotional Development:

At 22 months they might imitate older siblings and adults constantly, doing things like pretending to cooking or talk on the phone. You may notice a growing interest in other children too, even if they still prefer playing side by side rather than together. They’re testing independence and have even stronger opinions. They'll say "No" quite a bit, but they still rely on you for reassurance. Through imitation and connection, they’re learning what it means to belong in a group.

Communication:

Language is becoming more expressive! Toddlers at this age can say about 50 words, and some begin using short statements like “Look it!” They understand simple instructions, point to pictures in books when asked, and love repeating familiar phrases. Reading time becomes more interactive. They might even have some words or phrases from their favorite stories memorized. Their voice, gestures, and expressions now work together to communicate meaning and emotion.

At 22 months, your toddler is trying new things, observing you closely, and using those observations to build confidence in their own abilities.

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

4. Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Developmental Milestones: 18–24 Months.

5. Brown Health. Children’s Developmental Milestones: Gross and Fine Motor Skills.

   
   

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

Tracking your toddler’s 16 twenty 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.