What are toddlers doing at 18 months to 2 years?

Feeling

At this age, toddlers start to experience new emotions like anger and frustration, guilt, shame, possessiveness and excitement. Tantrums can happen when your toddler is overwhelmed by these strong emotions.

Although your toddler’s separation anxiety peaks at around 18 months, by 2 years it usually starts to settle down. Your toddler might still take a little while to warm up to new situations, like playing with new children. And when they play, they might want to be near you, a familiar adult or a sibling.

Your toddler is also beginning to think about how they feel and might link feelings with words. For example, your toddler might tell you they’re ‘sad’. They might show affection by giving you a kiss or hugging a doll, which is also part of developing empathy.

Playing and learning

Play is important because it’s how children learn.

At this age, your toddler will start imagining and creating through pretend play, like pretending to drink from a cup. As your toddler grows older, pretend play gets more complex, and it might involve copying you. For example, your toddler might sweep the floor like you, but using a tree branch. Your toddler will enjoy spending time with siblings and other children, even if they don’t play directly with others.

Talking and understanding

Toddlers love to talk! Your toddler’s words might even have up-and-down tones, just like an adult’s. You’ll probably hear a mix of ‘babble’ and real words.

At 18 months, your toddler is learning words all the time – usually 1-2 words a week, or maybe even a word a day. Your toddler might name and point at familiar objects, people and body parts – for example, ears, nose or toes. Your toddler might also make animal sounds like ‘moo’ or repeat the same sound or word.

Your toddler knows their own name and the idea of ‘mine’. They’re getting better at understanding simple sentences and instructions like ‘Bring it to Mum’ or ‘Let’s go for a walk’. You’ll be able to understand more of what your toddler says to you.

By 2 years, your toddler might be able to say ‘I’, ‘you’ and ‘me’ and use sentences with 2-3 words – for example, ‘Mummy car’ or ‘Me do it’.

Your toddler might ask for ‘more’ and say ‘no’ when you ask them to do something.

Moving

Toddlers usually walk on their own by 18 months and begin to run. Your toddler will probably walk up and down stairs or climb furniture with your help. They might walk around carrying larger objects and sit themselves in a small chair.

Throwing and kicking a ball, scribbling with pencils or crayons, and building small towers of blocks might be some of your toddler’s favourite things.

By 2 years, you might notice that your toddler uses one hand more than the other.

Building everyday skills

Around this time, toddlers are keen to do more things independently. For example, your toddler is learning to feed themselves using a spoon or fork and a cup – there might even be fewer spills than before!

Your toddler might try to help when getting dressed and undressed. It’s easier for them to take off socks, shoes and clothes without buttons.

Generally, your toddler might show signs that they’re ready for toilet training from 2 years on. But some children start to show signs of being ready earlier, at around 18 months.

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 between 18 months and 2 years?

Be there

If you’re nearby while your toddler plays and explores, it gives your toddler confidence to try new things on their own. This can help your toddler build independence and self-confidence later on.

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 ‘spoon’ can be a ‘little spoon’, ‘green spoon’ or even a ‘little green spoon’.

You can also build your toddler’s talking and communication skills by listening and responding. If your toddler says ‘Mama milk’, you might reply by saying, ‘You want Mum to get you some milk?’ 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 develop social skills like sharing and taking turns.

Outdoor play lets your toddler explore the world 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.

Make time to move

Daily physical activity strengthens your toddler’s muscles and bones. It’s also good for their confidence, as they discover that they can climb higher, run faster and jump further all the time. As your toddler tests their physical limits, keep checking that your home is safe.

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.

Be your toddler’s cheerleader

As your toddler learns new things, celebrate their achievements with praise and positive attention. This will make them feel good and encourage them to keep using their skills, even when it’s difficult.

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 also 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 18 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 your 18-month-old 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
  • can’t put 2 words together – for example, ‘More drink’
  • doesn’t point, wave or use other gestures
  • doesn’t follow simple instructions – for example, ‘Please give me the ball’.

Behaviour and play

Your toddler:

  • doesn’t enjoy eye contact or cuddles with you
  • isn’t showing their feelings.

Movement

Your toddler:

  • isn’t walking on their own
  • uses one hand a lot more than the other (usually children don’t use one hand more than the other until closer to 2 years).

When to be concerned about toddler development at 2 years

It’s a good idea to see your child and family health nurse or GP if you notice your 2-year-old has any of the following issues.

Seeing, hearing and communicating

Your toddler:

  • has trouble seeing or hearing things
  • isn’t putting 2 or more words together – for example, ‘Red car’ or ‘Me go too’
  • can’t follow simple instructions – for example, ‘Get your shoes, please’.

Behaviour and play

Your toddler:

  • isn’t showing their feelings
  • doesn’t come to you for affection or comfort
  • doesn’t copy actions or words – for example, when singing ‘Heads, shoulders, knees and toes’
  • doesn’t pretend during play – for example, doesn’t pretend to talk on the phone.

Movement

Your toddler:

  • can’t walk up and down stairs, even if holding on to you or a rail
  • can’t run
  • finds it hard to handle small objects – for example, a pencil or crayon
  • isn’t scribbling or trying to draw.

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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