1-2 years 

13-18 Months

Motor Skills:

• Walks independently, climbs

• Squats to pick up a toy

• Stacks objects, simple puzzles

Sensory:

• Helps with getting dressed/undressed

• Has a regular sleep schedule

• Eats an increasing variety of foods

Communication:

By 15 months:

• May use 5-10 words

• Combines sounds and gestures

• Imitates simple words and actions

• Consistently follows simple directions

• Shows interest in pictures

• Can identify body parts when named

• Understands 50 words

By 18 months:

• Responds to questions

• Repeats words overheard in conversation

• Continues to produce speech-like babbling

• Points at familiar objects and people in pictures

• Understands “in” and “on”

• Responds to yes/no questions with head shake/nod

Feeding:

• Increases variety of coarsely chopped table foods

• Holds and drinks from a cup, uses utensils to eat 

• 19-24 Month 

• Motor:

• Starts to jump with both feet leaving the ground

• When walking, able to pull toys behind them

• Runs

• Stands on tiptoes

• Climbs on low furniture

• Kicks large ball

• Goes up and down stairs with support

• Sensory:

• Flips switches on and off

• Uses crayons, pens, or markers to make marks on paper

• Sorts shapes and colors

• Stacks small blocks or toys on top of each other

• Takes toys apart and puts them back together

• Communication:

• By 21 Months:

• Uses at least 50 words

• Consistently imitates new words

• Names objects and pictures

• Understands simple pronouns (me, you, my)

• Identifies all body parts when named

• Understands new words quickly

• By 24 months:

• Begins to use 2 word phrases

• Uses simple pronouns (me, you, my)

• Understands action words

• Uses gestures and words during pretend play

• Follows 2-step related directions e.g. “Pick up your coat and bring it to me, please!

• Enjoys listening to stories

• Important Experiences and Activities

• Play and Exploration:

• Providing a variety of toys that encourage movement, problem-solving, and creativity. Activities like building with blocks, playing with simple puzzles, and drawing help develop fine motor and cognitive skills.

• Reading and Language Development:

• Continuously reading to children, talking with them, and encouraging them to name objects and describe their actions helps with language development. Singing songs and nursery rhymes is also beneficial.

• Routine and Structure:

• Establishing daily routines for meals, naps, and bedtime provides a sense of security and helps with the development of self-discipline and understanding of time.

• Social Interaction:

• Encouraging playdates and interactions with other children and adults helps develop social skills and emotional intelligence. Guiding them in sharing and taking turns is important.

• Physical Activity:

• Providing opportunities for safe physical activities, such as playing in a park, climbing on playground equipment, and participating in simple games, helps develop gross motor skills and coordination.