Early Development Milestones for Toddlers and When to Act

Every day with a toddler is an adventure. One moment, they’re taking their first tiny little wobbly steps; the next, they’re walking on their own and pointing at dogs, saying “woof.” These moments, known as developmental milestones, are more than just cute memories. They’re signposts showing how your child is growing in their physical, social, and communication skills.

According to the CDC, most children reach specific milestones by certain ages, but every child develops at their own pace. For parents, understanding these milestones is key to spotting early signs of developmental delays, like those associated with autism spectrum disorder. Early recognition can lead to timely interventions, vastly improving outcomes.

Scottsdale PBS can support you with early childhood development disorder treatment in Arizona.

Why Childhood Development Milestones Matter

Milestones are indicators of your child’s development, spanning physical, communication, social, and cognitive skills. They help you track progress and spot a potential developmental delay early. For instance, by age 2, most toddlers use at least 50 words and follow simple language or instructions. If your child isn’t meeting these common milestones, it could signal developmental concerns, like autism.

Here’s a list of 10 important development milestones to watch for between ages 1 and 3:

1. Saying first words (12-18 months): While some toddlers may start speaking early, most usually begin using single words like “mama” or “ball” to communicate within this age range.
2. Walking independently (12-18 months): Excluding cases involving physical disabilities, most toddlers can walk without support by this age, exploring their environment with newfound mobility.
3. Showing affection to familiar people (18 months): They express joy when seeing loved ones and hug or kiss family members, forming early social bonds.
4. Following simple instructions (18-24 months): They understand and (sometimes) respond to directions like “come here,” or “put that down.” Mischievous play and ignoring simple instructions on purpose may also begin around this age. New parents, beware!
5. Engaging in pretend play (2-3 years): Imaginative play may manifest early in some children, but usually by this age imagination starts playing a bigger role in playtime, such as pretending to feed a doll or driving toy cars.
6. Using two-word phrases (2 years): They start to combine words to communicate desires or identify things in their environment, like “more milk” or “big truck.”
7. Running and climbing (2 years): By this age most toddlers begin to become more coordinated as they grow, starting to run (and fall often, of course) and climb on furniture or playground equipment.
8. Mimicking others’ actions (12-18 months): This behavior can begin early in some toddlers and start with small things like copying gestures or making faces, but by 18 months most toddlers will begin to copy more complex behaviors they observe parents doing or learn from TV, like pretending to talk on the phone.
9. Sorting shapes and colors (2-3 years): Most toddlers can match basic shapes and identify colors by this age.
10. Speaking in short sentences (3 years): By the time a toddler reaches this age, they should be able to use simple sentences and have a vocabulary of 200-300 words.

Keep in mind that every child develops at their own pace, but these milestones provide a general guide. If your child misses several of these, it’s worth consulting a pediatrician. Early intervention, such as ABA therapy, can make a significant difference. Scottsdale PBS specializes in supporting families through this process with expert evaluations and therapies.

Now, let’s explore what to expect at 18 months, 2 years, and 3 years in more detail.

Tracking Each Milestone as Your Baby Grows into a Toddler

At 18 months, your baby is likely well on their way to becoming a toddler, developing more independence and curiosity about the world around them.

Most children can do the following by this age:

• Physical Skills: Most toddlers this age have started to walk independently, may climb stairs with help, and can scribble with a crayon. You might see them trying to kick a ball or pulling toys while walking, showing growing coordination.
• Communication: They say several single words (around 10-20) and may point to objects to name them. They understand simple language and instructions, like “come here,” and can point to body parts when asked.
• Social and Emotional: With this milestone, your toddler begins to engage in simple pretend play, like feeding a doll, and may show affection, such as hugging family members. They might also start to show defiance, like saying “no” to assert independence.
• Cognitive Skills: They begin to recognize everyday objects, like a cup or spoon, and can match shapes in simple puzzles. Problem-solving starts to emerge, such as figuring out how to stack blocks.

If your 18-month-old isn’t walking or using any words, it’s worth discussing with a pediatrician. These could be early signs of developmental delays, and Scottsdale PBS offers diagnostic assessments for children in Arizona to clarify these concerns.

Toddler Milestones by Age 2

By age 2, your toddler’s skills start expanding rapidly as they explore their world and gain a better understanding of their environment.

Physical Skills

Most 2-year-olds have begun to run, climb furniture without help, and walk up and down stairs without having to crawl or use their hands to climb. Fine motor skills improve, allowing them to turn pages in a book or build small towers with blocks.

Communication

Here, your toddler should be able to use at least 50 words and start combining two word phrases, like “more milk.” They follow two-step instructions, such as “pick up the toy and give it to me,” and name familiar objects in pictures.

Social and Emotional Awareness

Most toddlers start mimicking others by this age, like copying a parent’s actions or repeating things they hear on TV, and enjoy playing alongside other children, though not always with them. Tantrums may increase as they express emotions but struggle to regulate them.

Cognitive Skills

They sort shapes and colors, recognize names of people or pets, and engage in more complex pretend play, like pretending to cook. They also start to show curiosity, pointing to things and asking “what’s that?”

If your 2-year-old isn’t speaking in two-word phrases or seems uninterested in social interactions, these could be early autism signs parents should watch out for. Early intervention at this stage can make a significant difference, and Scottsdale PBS can provide expert evaluations to guide you.

Developmental Milestones for Toddlers at 3 Years

At 3 years, your toddler is becoming a little person with a big personality and starts forming their own opinion about things, expressing preferences and dislikes.

Physical Skills

By age 3, toddlers can usually run easily, climb playground equipment, and pedal a tricycle. Fine motor skills allow them to draw simple shapes, like circles, and use a spoon or fork with less mess.

Communication

They speak in short sentences, using 200-300 word vocabularies, and are understood by strangers most of the time. They ask “why” or “what” questions and can name colors or count to at least 10.

Social and Emotional

Most 3-year-olds can play cooperatively with others, understand taking turns in games, and show a wider range of emotions, like pride or embarrassment. They may also start to dress themselves or make requests about what they want to wear or eat, showing growing independence.

Cognitive Skills

Toddlers at this age understand basic concepts, like “big” versus “small,” and can follow simple stories and children’s educational programs. Problem-solving improves, such as figuring out how to open a container or complete a simple puzzle.

If your 3-year-old struggles to form sentences, avoids eye contact, or doesn’t engage in play with others, these could signal developmental concerns. Scottsdale PBS offers reliable ABA therapy for toddlers in Scottsdale to address these challenges with tailored support.

When to Seek Help for Toddler Developmental Disorders

Every child develops at their own pace, but certain red flags warrant attention. If your toddler isn’t meeting several milestones or struggles in multiple areas, such as not speaking by 2 or showing limited interest in others by 3, it’s time to talk to a healthcare provider. These could be early autism signs or other developmental delays.

The CDC notes that early intervention before age 5 can lead to significant improvements in communication and social skills. Don’t wait for your child to “catch up” on their own and risk setting them back long-term. A professional evaluation can provide clarity and connect you with therapies like ABA, speech, or occupational therapy.

Scottsdale PBS specializes in diagnostic assessments for toddlers and children, offering a clear path to understanding your child’s needs.

How Parents Can Support Childhood Development

Parenting plays a huge role in a toddler’s growth. Here are practical ways you can encourage their milestones as a parent:

• Encourage Play: Provide toys like blocks or dolls to spark pretend play and problem-solving. Playdates with other toddlers in their age range can also boost social skills.
• Read Together: Reading daily and telling stories builds vocabulary and listening skills. Point to pictures and ask questions to engage your child.
• Talk and Listen: Narrate your day or ask simple questions to encourage speech. Respond to their attempts to communicate to encourage them, even if it’s just babbling.
• Set Routines: Consistent schedules help with emotional regulation and independence, like having a bedtime routine.
• Be Patient: Tantrums and setbacks are normal. Offer comfort and model calm behavior to help them learn self-control.

These activities not only support milestones but also strengthen your bond with your child. If you’re unsure about their progress, Scottsdale PBS can guide you with expert advice and resources.

Choose Scottsdale PBS for Help with Child Development Milestones

Your toddler’s milestones and first actions in the world are a window into their development, and early action and guidance can shape their future for the better. If you’re noticing delays or early child development disorder signs, don’t wait. Contact Scottsdale PBS for expert diagnostic assessments and personalized toddler developmental treatment plans. Our dedicated team is here to support your family with compassionate, effective care. Reach out today to give your child the best start possible!