Exploring Toddlerhood: Milestones from 18 to 24 Months

The period from 18 to 24 months marks a significant phase in your child's development, characterized by rapid growth and newfound abilities. During this time, your little one is transitioning from babyhood to toddlerhood, becoming more independent, curious, and communicative with each passing day. In this article, we'll explore the exciting developmental milestones your child may reach during this period, offering insights and tips to support their journey of growth and discovery.

Gross Motor

• Climbing stairs with one hand held or grasping onto a rail is typically observed between 18 and 24 months of age
• By 24 months, children typically demonstrate the ability to throw a ball overhand
• Running independently is commonly mastered by children around the age of 24 months
• Around 24 months, children often develop the skill to jump off the ground using both feet
• The ability to kick a ball is typically acquired by children around 24 months of age

Fine Motor and Vision

• Successfully matches 3 shapes in a shape sorter (19-20 months)
• Demonstrates the ability to open and close the cover of a flip lid container (20-22 months)
• Constructs a tower using 6 cubes (24 months)
• Begins to imitate vertical strokes (24 months)
• Develops the skill to screw and unscrew jar lids and bottle caps (24 months)

Language and Hearing

• Begins to point to 2-3 body parts (18 months)
• Expresses themselves with a vocabulary of 10-20 words (18 months)
• Demonstrates the ability to follow 2-step instructions (24 months)
• Expands their vocabulary to include 50 words and 2-word phrases (24 months)

Personal Social

• Begins to imitate household chores (18-19 months)
• Engages in pretend play, such as feeding a doll (18-24 months)
• Masters the skill of eating with a spoon (24 months)
• Achieves independence by being able to fully undress themselves, including shirts, shoes, and pants (24 months)
• Shows interest in playing near other children (24 months)

Ways to Engage in Activities with Your Child

• Play a game of passing a ball back and forth with your child. As your child improves, encourage them to kick the ball and run
• Take your child to the park or playground to explore, ensuring constant supervision
• Enlist your child's help in carrying small items while walking, such as light groceries
• Involve your child in simple tasks like opening doors, drawers, or turning pages in a book
• Stimulate your child's mind with blocks or puzzles featuring shapes, colors, animals, or fruits. Name each piece as it's correctly placed
• Teach your child to recognize and name body parts, animals, and common objects
• Expand on your child's vocabulary by adding to their phrases. For instance, if they say "ball," you can say "bounce the ball"
• Narrate your actions and your child's actions during pretend play and daily routines
• Encourage your child to express their needs verbally

Minimise screen time to video-chatting only.

Signs to Watch For

• Unsteady walking or difficulty maintaining balance
• Lack of heel-toe walking pattern after 4-5 months of independent walking
• Walking solely on tiptoes
• Failure to mimic words or actions by 24 months
• Inability to follow simple instructions by 24 months
• Absence of 2-word phrases in speech by 24 months
• Regression in language or social skills
• Limited or absent pointing or sharing of interests by 24 months
• Reduced responsiveness to affection
• Preference for solitary play

As your child progresses and reaches new milestones, it's important to acknowledge and celebrate each step of their journey. If you ever have questions or concerns about your child's development, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider or connect with the neonatal department at SGH for support and guidance. For additional assistance and valuable resources on the rewarding path of parenthood, we invite you to download our informative leaflet: Developmental Milestones (18 to 24 months).pdf