Developmental milestones from 12 to 18 months

Between 12 and 18 months most children take their first steps alone, try a few words besides “mama” and “dada”, and start copying what the adults around them do. The CDC describes milestones as things “most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age”, which makes them a picture of what is common, not a test with a pass mark. If your child has not reached one of them, it is worth saying out loud at the next visit rather than waiting to see.

Around this age

The CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. lists sit at 12, 15 and 18 months, and each one builds on the one before.

By 1 year, most children pull up to stand, walk while holding on to furniture, and pick small things up between thumb and pointer finger. They play games with you, like pat-a-cake. They wave bye-bye, call a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name, and pause or stop when you say no. They put something in a container, like a block in a cup, and look for things they watched you hide.

By 15 months, most take a few steps on their own and use their fingers to feed themselves. They try to say one or two words besides “mama” and “dada”, look at a familiar object when you name it, and point to ask for something or to get help. They copy other children at play, show you an object they like, clap when excited, and stack at least two small objects. They try to use things the right way: a cup, a phone, a book.

By 18 months, most walk without holding on to anyone or anything, climb on and off a couch without help, scribble, drink from a cup without a lid, and try to use a spoon. They try to say three or more words besides “mama” and “dada”, and follow a one-step direction without any gesture, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.” They point to show you something interesting, help you dress them by pushing an arm through a sleeve, and copy you doing chores.

The CDC notes that if your child was born more than 3 weeks early, you use their corrected age, and if their age falls between two lists, you use the one for the younger age.

What families usually do

Very little of this needs equipment. The CDC’s own suggestions for these months are ordinary and repeatable: name what you are holding, respond to the sounds your child makes as though they were conversation, read the same board book again, and leave time for climbing on and off the couch.

Practice is uneven on purpose. A child who walked all week may crawl for three days while they work on words, then swap back. Skills often trade places rather than stack neatly.

There are checkups at 12, 15 and 18 months in the schedule most pediatricians follow, which is why these are the ages the milestone lists are written for. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a general developmental screening at 18 months, using a validated questionnaire, and a separate screening for autism at 18 and 24 months.

Developmental monitoring is the part you do: watching how your child plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves over time. Many families jot down what they noticed in the week before an appointment, because the thing that worried you on a Tuesday is hard to recall in a 15-minute visit.

When to call your pediatrician

The CDC’s guidance is short: do not wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost a skill they once had, or you have another concern, act early. Talk with your child’s doctor, say what you have seen, and ask about developmental screening.

You can also ask for a referral to a specialist, and you can call your state or territory’s early intervention program yourself. Families can refer themselves directly; you do not need a doctor’s referral to ask for an assessment. Early intervention programs serve children from birth to age 3, and public schools take over for children 3 and older.

Sources

• Milestones by 1 Year — CDC
• Milestones by 15 Months — CDC
• Milestones by 18 Months — CDC
• Developmental Monitoring and Screening — CDC

This is educational information from public sources, not a replacement for advice from your child’s healthcare professional.

In Withya, the guides for this age sit under Guides, ordered for your child’s age and the place her profile says you live.