Developmental Milestones: 18 – 24 Months
As children grow physically stronger so does their sense of adventure and desire to explore. They are slowly learning the cause and effect rule and are ready to investigate this further at any given opportunity.
First words are becoming clearer and their language is starting to take shape which is an exciting time for all. Imagination is starting to evolve and can be evident in their artistic creations as well as in play.
Tantrums, due to frustrations with their limited communication and abilities, can be common at this age as toddlers struggle to express themselves, especially as they are wanting to start making decisions for themselves which may not always be feasible.
Please keep in mind that these milestones are guidelines only, as all children are different and develop at their own pace. Do not be concerned if your child does not perfectly ‘tick all the boxes’ and avoid comparing your child to other children of a similar age. If you are worried that your child’s development is particularly delayed, visit your GP.
- Exploring is becoming easier as children develop physically. They will be showing signs of curiosity and will be looking for far more exciting amusement than just static playing
- Understanding of cause and effect helps children initiate actions to produce intentional results. They will learn that when they bang the drum it will make a loud noise and then will be able to repeat it voluntarily and intentionally
- Children are trying to do more activities independently and are able to make simple decisions about food and clothes, but can become overwhelmed by too much choice
- A familiarity with set routines may be taking hold and they may become unhappy and unsettled when these are changed
- They can still have difficulty regulating their feelings and may experience regular tantrums with rapid mood shifts. Children are often able to comfort themselves which is an important part of emotional development
- They may start showing an interest in role play as their imagination evolves
- Children are trying to do more activities independently and are able to make simple decisions about food and clothes, but can become overwhelmed by too much choice
- A familiarity with set routines may be taking hold and they may become unhappy and unsettled when these are changed
- They can still have difficulty regulating their feelings and may experience regular tantrums with rapid mood shifts. Children are often able to comfort themselves which is an important part of emotional development
- They may start showing an interest in role play as their imagination evolves
- Copying and repeating is difficult for this age, but games that encourage accurate listening are often popular, once a child understands the simple rules involved
- As first words become clearer it can feel that there’s an explosion of language happening within a child’s brain which can make it an exciting time for all
- It won’t be too long before a few words are starting to be linked together in order to create short sentences
- As children approach their second birthday they may be enjoying colouring and creating pictures
- They can start to use their own imagination to create pictures or patterns
- Making decisions about colours and what they are drawing is more evident and will let their imagination evolve
- They will become more interested in using a variety of materials to create marks or patterns
- They will be showing signs of wanting to choose from a selection of tools to create a picture – pencil, crayon or paint?
- Pushing and pulling, or building structures, is enjoyed at this age
- They are beginning to learn how to operate toys with buttons and flaps
- Children are starting to associate a sequence of actions with daily routines, and learning about the concept of the ‘present’
- They are increasingly curious about their environment
- Children show an interest in stories about themselves, their families and other people
Toddlers love to play and this is a great way to support their development and learning. See below for our independently tested and approved toys and apps to support your 18-24 month old’s understanding of the world.
