Developmental Milestones

A developmental milestone is a skill that a child acquires within a specific time frame.

Showing all milestones for all development areas for the 12-18 months age range. clear Clear Filter

Primary milestones for 12-18 months

Milestone ? Age Range ? Development Area ?
Experiments with means to a goal
10-24 months Cognitive
Walks without help
10-18 months Gross Motor
Lowers himself from standing
11-14 months Gross Motor
Takes one step, unassisted
11-13 months Gross Motor
Stands on his toes
11-13 months Gross Motor
Carries spoon to his mouth
11-13 months Fine Motor
Takes two steps, unassisted
11-14 months Gross Motor
Walks, holding a wheeled toy
11-24 months Gross Motor
Identifies animals in pictures
11-13 months Cognitive
Gives a kiss upon request
11-12 months Social & Emotional
Turns pages of a book
11-24 months Cognitive
Sits without support with book
12-18 months Literacy
May carry a book
12-18 months Literacy
Holds a book with help
12-18 months Literacy
Turns board book pages
12-18 months Literacy
No longer mouths book immediately
12-18 months Literacy
Points at pictures with one finger
12-18 months Literacy
Connects sound to picture
12-18 months Literacy
Points when asked, "where's...?"
12-18 months Literacy
Turns a book right side up
12-18 months Literacy
Gives a book to an adult to read
12-18 months Literacy
Takes covers off containers
12-14 months Fine Motor
Responds to directions
12-13 months Cognitive
Gives and takes a toy
12-13 months Social & Emotional
Refuses to eat new foods
month 12 Social & Emotional
Climbs up and down stairs
12-14 months Gross Motor
Stands from squatting position
12-13 months Gross Motor
Learns correct use of toys
12-13 months Cognitive
Resists napping
month 12 Social & Emotional
May demand help unnecessarily
month 12 Social & Emotional
Gives affection
month 12 Social & Emotional
Undresses himself
month 12 Social & Emotional
Stands, cruises and walks
12-15 months Gross Motor
Climbs out of his playpen/crib
month 12 Gross Motor
Holds an object in his mouth
month 12 Gross Motor
Understands much language
12-13 months Speech & Language
Throws tantrums
month 12 Social & Emotional
Cares for dolls
12-14 months Social & Emotional
Takes only one nap
12-14 months Physical
Eats meals with family
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Experiences appetite change
12-24 months Physical
May prefer only one type of food
12-24 months Physical
Needs tooth care
12-24 months Physical
Uses a spoon
12-18 months Fine Motor
Drops toys into containers
12-18 months Fine Motor
Stacks and knocks down objects
1-3 years Fine Motor
Nests cups and stacks rings
12-24 months Fine Motor
Takes things apart
12-24 months Fine Motor
Gets tired from walking
12-24 months Gross Motor
Points at objects
12-18 months Speech & Language
Points to named objects
12-24 months Speech & Language
Names familiar people and things
12-24 months Speech & Language
Pronounces words differently
12-24 months Speech & Language
Explores objects more thoroughly
12-24 months Cognitive
Matches objects by attributes
12-24 months Cognitive
learns by imitating actions
12-24 months Cognitive
Communicates his desires
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Uses "No" ambiguously
12-18 months Social & Emotional
Recognizes himself in the mirror
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Engages in parallel play
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Prefers adults to children
12-24 months Social & Emotional
Expresses frustration in tantrums
12-24 months Social & Emotional

Other milestones within the 12-18 months range

Milestone ? Age Range ? Development Area ?
Reaches for a book
6-12 months Literacy
Brings a book to his mouth
6-12 months Literacy
Sits in lap, head steady
6-12 months Literacy
Turns pages with adult help
6-12 months Literacy
Looks at pictures
6-12 months Literacy
Vocalizes while patting pictures
6-12 months Literacy
Prefers pictures of faces
6-12 months Literacy
Begins teething
6-12 months Physical
Crawls forward or backward
7-12 months Gross Motor
Claps and waves his hands
7-12 months Fine Motor
Names "mama" or "dada"
7-12 months Speech & Language
Stands, hands free, with support
8-12 months Gross Motor
Pulls to standing
8-12 months Gross Motor
Points with finger
8-12 months Fine Motor
Shakes his head "no"
8-12 months Speech & Language
Stands, holding onto something
8-12 months Gross Motor
Follows simple instructions
9-24 months Cognitive
Voluntarily releases objects
9-12 months Fine Motor
Searches for a hidden object
10-12 months Cognitive
Fits things together
10-12 months Cognitive
Feeds himself entire meals
10-12 months Fine Motor
Climbs up and down chairs
10-15 months Gross Motor
Takes apart, reassembles objects
10-14 months Cognitive
Extends his arm to get dressed
10-12 months Social & Emotional
Enjoys games (hide-and-seek)
10-12 months Social & Emotional
Cruises along furniture
10-12 months Gross Motor
Picks up small objects
10-12 months Fine Motor
Holds cup and drinks from it
10-12 months Fine Motor
Connects words and objects
10-12 months Cognitive
Imitates rhythms of speech
10-12 months Speech & Language
Squats and stoops
11-12 months Gross Motor
Lifts lids from boxes
11-12 months Fine Motor
Speaks a few intelligible words
11-12 months Speech & Language
Deliberately places objects
11-12 months Fine Motor
Nests cups or boxes
11-13 months Cognitive
Tries to avoid disapproval
11-13 months Social & Emotional
Shows guilt
11-13 months Social & Emotional
Babbles with full inflection
11-12 months Speech & Language
May choke on food
1-5 years Physical

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