Child development one to two years

By 12-15 months old most toddlers: 

• will hug you 
• point to body parts, favourite toys or familiar people when you name them 
• drink from a cup, although there may be some spills 
• use a spoon 
• can follow simple instructions (e.g. ‘Please give me the ball’) 
• try to help when you dress them 
• hold a crayon and possibly scribbles after you show them how.

By 15-18 months old most toddlers: 

• have strong bonds with you, your partner, and/or primary caregiver 
• understand their own name 
• may be walking on their own 
• remove some of their clothes to help you get them undressed 
• sit in a small chair, or try to get into your chair 
• get a toy from another room when you ask 
• pick up very small objects – for example, pebbles or crumbs.

By 18-24 months old most toddlers: 

• begin to have temper tantrums 
• may have separation anxiety when they are separated from you 
• start to feed themselves with a spoon or drink from a cup 
• says two to three word sentences 
• asks for ‘more’ and says ‘no’ when asked to do something 
• copies you  
• can sit on their own in a small chair 
• walks around carrying larger objects.

Here are some simple things you can do to help your child’s development:

• let them play with other kids so they can learn how to make friends and socialise with other children 
• encourage everyday skills like using a spoon and putting on their shoes 
• talk to your child and name and talk about everyday things (kitchen items, food, toys) to develop their language skills 
• give meaning to your child’s talking by listening and talking back to them 
• read together, tell stories, sing songs and recite nursery rhymes to encourage their imagination and speech.

Talk to a health care professional if you notice your child has any of the following issues. 

If your child at 12-15 months: 

• doesn’t make eye contact with you 
• doesn’t follow moving objects with their eyes or has an eye that is turned in or out most of the time 
• isn’t interested in sounds 
• doesn’t respond to their name when called 
• doesn’t babble or use single words 
• doesn’t gesture (e.g. wave or point) 
• doesn’t seem to understand you 
• doesn’t show emotions or feelings 
• can’t stand, even with support 
• uses one hand a lot more than the other. 

If your child at 15-18 months: 

• has trouble seeing or hearing things 
• doesn’t say any single words 
• can’t follow simple instructions (e.g. ‘please give me the ball’) 
• doesn’t gesture (e.g. wave or point) 
• doesn’t like eye contact or cuddles with you 
• isn’t walking  
• uses one hand a lot more than the other. 

If your child at 18-24 months: 

• has trouble seeing or hearing things 
• doesn’t say any single words 
• doesn’t gesture (e.g. wave or point) 
• can’t follow simple instructions (e.g. ‘please give me the ball’) 
• doesn’t like eye contact or cuddles  
• isn’t showing feelings 
• doesn’t copy actions or words  
• doesn’t play pretend 
• can’t walk up and down stairs, even with support 
• can’t run 
• finds it hard to handle small objects – for example, a pencil or crayon 
• isn’t scribbling 
• isn’t walking on their own 
• uses one hand a lot more than the other.