What are toddlers doing at 15-18 months?
Playing, exploring and learning
Your toddler is constantly learning new things. They’re curious about everything and are keen to play, experiment and explore.
Play is important for your toddler – it’s how they develop thinking, imagination and creativity. Your toddler might particularly enjoy games like finding hidden toys and pointing to body parts or familiar toys.
By the time your toddler is 18 months, they might start to do ‘pretend play’. For example, your toddler might pretend to drink from a cup or talk on the phone using a toy. They might also copy what you do – for example, sweeping the floor or reading a book.
At this age, it’s more likely that your toddler will play side by side with other children rather than with them.
Feeling
When it comes to emotions, your toddler has developed strong attachments to the people they love. You’ll find your toddler gives you a lot of cuddles and kisses. But your toddler might also be self-conscious and even embarrassed when they realise other people are looking at them. If your toddler is separated from you, they might get upset – separation anxiety is a typical part of development at this age.
Communicating, talking and understanding
In language development, your toddler might say a few words by 15 months. Your toddler will learn more and more words in the coming months and start naming objects and actions.
Your toddler will show you what they’re interested in by pointing at something and looking at you or by looking at what you point to.
Your toddler will usually understand their own name, as well as simple instructions like ‘Bring it to Mum’. They might get something from another room when you ask them to.
And your toddler might also understand the power of words like ‘no’ and ‘mine’!
Moving
Your toddler might be walking on their own. If not, they’ll probably take their first steps during these months. If your toddler has been walking for a while, they might soon start running, walking up or down stairs holding the banister or your hand, or climbing furniture.
They might also be able to seat themselves in a small chair or try to get into your chair.
Hand movements like scribbling, turning pages in a book, using a spoon, drinking from a cup or building a tower of blocks are much easier for your toddler now. They might also be able to pick up very small objects like pebbles or crumbs.
Fun fact
You can look forward to your toddler helping when you’re putting on their clothes, often by holding out their arms for sleeves or putting up their feet for shoes. They might start taking off some of their clothes too!
Your child’s brain develops connections faster in the first 5 years than at any other time in their life. Stimulating and caring environments with plenty of different activities help to build these connections and lay the foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life.
How can you help your toddler grow and develop at 15-18 months?
Be there
If you’re nearby while your toddler plays and explores, it gives them the confidence to try new things on their own. This can help them build independence and self-confidence as they get older.
Have a chat
Talking about everyday things with your toddler develops their language skills. For example, you can name body parts, toys and spoons, chairs or other household items. And you can help your toddler learn that a ‘ball’ can be a ‘little ball’, ‘blue ball’ or even a ‘little blue ball’.
You can also build your toddler’s talking and communication skills by listening and responding. For example, if your toddler says ‘mama’, you say ‘Yes, I’m your mama’. This encourages conversation and makes your toddler feel valued and loved.
Play
Playing with others is a great way for your toddler to learn how to be with other children, make friends and start developing social skills like sharing and taking turns.
Outdoor play lets your toddler explore the world around them and test out their growing physical skills. When you’re outside, remember to be safe in the sun and safe around water.
Read together
You can encourage your toddler’s talking and imagination by reading together and telling stories. Singing songs and reciting nursery rhymes are good early literacy activities too. All these activities help your toddler to understand language and learn to read as they get older.
Build everyday skills
Everyday skills – like feeding themselves, drinking from a cup and taking off a hat – involve both small and big muscle movements. To build these skills, your toddler also has to think about what they’re doing.
Get moving
Being active is good for your toddler’s overall physical and mental health. Moving also builds your toddler’s muscle strength, which is important for more complex movements like standing, walking and running.
If you make your home safe, your active toddler can move around without getting hurt.
When toddlers behave in positive ways, it’s good for their learning, development, health and wellbeing. Behaviour tips and strategies can help.
How to parent a toddler and look after yourself
As a parent, you’re always learning. It’s OK to feel confident about what you know. And it’s OK to admit you don’t know something and ask questions or get help.
It’s also important to look after yourself. Looking after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally is good for you, and it’s good for your toddler. When you’re well, you can give your toddler the loving attention they need to grow and thrive.
Part of looking after yourself is asking for help, especially if you’re feeling stressed, anxious or angry. There are many people who can support you and your toddler, including your partner, friends, relatives, child and family health nurse and GP. It’s a good idea to have a list of these people with their contact details. Put the list on your fridge, so it’s easy to find if you need it.
Never shake, hit or verbally abuse a toddler. If you feel like you can’t cope or you might hurt your child, gently put them somewhere safe. Take deep breaths to calm down. Get support by talking to a family member or friend or by calling a parenting helpline or Lifeline on 131 114.
When to be concerned about toddler development at 15 months
You know your toddler best. So it’s a good idea to see your child and family health nurse or GP if you have any concerns or notice that at 15-18 months your toddler has any of the following issues.
Seeing, hearing and communicating
Your toddler:
- has trouble seeing or hearing things
- doesn’t say any single words
- doesn’t follow simple instructions – for example, ‘Please give me the ball’
- doesn’t point, wave or use other gestures.
Behaviour
Your toddler doesn’t enjoy eye contact or cuddles with you.
Movement
Your toddler:
- isn’t walking by themselves
- uses one hand much more than the other (usually children don’t use one hand more than the other until closer to 2 years).
See a child health professional if you notice that your toddler has lost skills they once had.
Also see your nurse or GP if you have signs of postnatal anxiety, postnatal depression in birthing mothers or postnatal depression in non-birthing parents. With help and support, you can manage symptoms, feel better sooner, and give your child what they need to develop well.
Development happens in a similar order in most children, but skills might develop at different ages or times. If you’re wondering whether your toddler’s development is on track, or if you feel that something isn’t quite right, it’s best to get help early. See your child and family health nurse or GP.
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