Summary:
- Common toddler milestones between ages 1 and 3.
- Physical, language, social, and cognitive development.
- Ways parents can support toddler development.
- When to discuss developmental concerns with a provider.
Toddler Development Milestones: Ages 1 to 3
Blink, and you’ll miss it: your little one going from a bubbly, cooing, charmingly helpless newborn to a more independent (but still adorable) toddler just oozing with curiosity.
Between the ages of 12 and 36 months, children experience an enormous amount of change. They’ll go through massive development in everything from how they look and move to how they communicate, play, and interact with others.
Every child is different, but it’s helpful for parents to have and understand key toddler development milestones, so that you can communicate progress to your provider and bring up concerns as needed. If you’re just getting started, our Baby Development Milestones: What to Expect in the First Year guide covers the months leading up to this stage.
Here’s what you need to know about typical developmental milestones ages 1 to 3.
Toddler Development at 12 to 15 Months
The earliest toddler milestones involve independence and movement. The “Big Moment” at this stage is learning to walk, but there are other things that your child will learn to do around this age that’ll lay the foundation for more independence soon.
These 12 to 15 month milestones include:
- Pulling up or taking independent steps
- Using gestures to communicate
- Beginning to use familiar words
- Exploring toys and everyday objects
- Showing affection and preferences
- Copying simple actions
Your toddler may be better at some of these than others, but that’s okay. Each child largely moves through these phases at their own pace.
Toddler Development at 18 Months
At or around 18 months, your toddler will have become more confident in controlling their bodies and communicating with mom and dad.
These two trends will ramp up even more, but at this point, you can track progress with these common 18 month milestones:
- Walking independently
- Beginning to climb
- Using several familiar words
- Following simple directions
- Pointing to show interest
- Imitating everyday activities
- Exploring independently while staying connected to caregivers
You’ll love just how much more interactive your kiddo has become! For a closer look at this stage, see our 18 Month Old Development guide.
Toddler Development at 2 Years
The 2 year mark is a big moment. This begins what many parents call “the terrible twos” because usually this is the first time that their ability to communicate and move matches their feelings.
You’ll typically find that a two year old has become quite good at communicating and operating independently (even if it involves a tantrum or two).
These milestones include:
- Combining words
- Running and kicking a ball
- Using utensils
- Participating in simple pretend play
- Recognizing familiar objects
- Showing increasing independence from caregivers
Note that as with other stages, your kid may not meet all of these milestones exactly at two years. This is just a general guide as to what to expect.
Toddler Development at 3 Years
The third birthday is the beginning of the end for your child’s toddler stage, and while it can be sad to watch your little one grow up so fast, it’s also so beautiful to see their growth.
General milestones to watch for at this age include:
- Having longer conversations
- Asking questions
- Playing with other children
- Developing coordination
- Participating in dressing and daily routines
- Solving simple problems
- Following multistep directions
It won’t be long before you’re buying their first backpack and shedding a tear when they head to preschool!
How Parents Can Support Toddler Development
Of course, toddler physical development isn’t just up to nature. Parents play a big role.
Activities you can take to support how your child moves and interacts physically with the world include:
- Encouraging supervised active play
- Offering age-appropriate toys
- Playing interactive games
- Encouraging exploration in safe environments
- Maintaining consistent routines
When it comes to toddler language development, you can boost their communication skills by:
- Reading together
- Talking throughout everyday routines
- Answering questions (even if the answer is, “I don’t know”)
- Asking questions and allowing them to explain their view
- Sing nursery rhymes
Active parenting helps toddlers progress and thrive.
When to Talk With a Provider About Development
As mentioned, these toddler development stages are guidelines, not deadlines.
You should turn to a medical provider when you have concerns about how your toddler is or isn’t progressing, especially if they appear to be losing previously acquired skills.
Your provider may recommend developmental screening when appropriate.
Trust your instincts! Being concerned is a good reason to talk to a provider or visit urgent care.
Understanding the Next Stage of Development
Watching your child grow from a newborn to a toddler is bittersweet, because it seems to happen so quickly. But, watching your little one develop at their own pace is one of the most rewarding things a parent can experience, so enjoy.
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