developmental-milestones-18-to-24-months

The period from 18 to 24 months marks a significant phase in your child's development, characterized by rapid growth and newfound abilities. During this time, your little one is transitioning from babyhood to toddlerhood, becoming more independent, curious, and communicative with each passing day. In this article, we'll explore the exciting developmental milestones your child may reach during this period, offering insights and tips to support their journey of growth and discovery.

Gross Motor

Explore the exciting progress in your child's gross motor skills as they master new movements and gain more control over their body, paving the way for greater independence and physical exploration. Here are a few typical gross motor behaviours often observed during this stage:

Climbing stairs with one hand held or grasping onto a rail is typically observed between 18 and 24 months of age
By 24 months, children typically demonstrate the ability to throw a ball overhand
Running independently is commonly mastered by children around the age of 24 months
Around 24 months, children often develop the skill to jump off the ground using both feet
The ability to kick a ball is typically acquired by children around 24 months of age

Fine Motor and Vision

At this crucial juncture in their growth journey, children refine their fine motor skills and enhance their visual acuity, paving the way for expanded exploration and engagement with their surroundings. Here are some typical behaviors they often demonstrate during this phase:

Successfully matches 3 shapes in a shape sorter (19-20 months)
Demonstrates the ability to open and close the cover of a flip lid container (20-22 months)
Constructs a tower using 6 cubes (24 months)
Begins to imitate vertical strokes (24 months)
Develops the skill to screw and unscrew jar lids and bottle caps (24 months)

Language and Hearing

Witness the natural growth of your child's communication abilities as they begin to express themselves through speech and respond to the sounds in their environment, laying the foundation for meaningful interactions and connections. Here are several behaviors commonly seen in children at this particular age:

Begins to point to 2-3 body parts (18 months)
Expresses themselves with a vocabulary of 10-20 words (18 months)
Demonstrates the ability to follow 2-step instructions (24 months)
Expands their vocabulary to include 50 words and 2-word phrases (24 months)

Personal Social

This aspect of development involves the gradual emergence of your child's social and emotional development as they navigate relationships, form connections with others, and express their feelings and desires, fostering healthy interpersonal skills and self-awareness. At 18-24 months, the child tends to exhibit the following:

Begins to imitate household chores (18-19 months)
Engages in pretend play, such as feeding a doll (18-24 months)
Masters the skill of eating with a spoon (24 months)
Achieves independence by being able to fully undress themselves, including shirts, shoes, and pants (24 months)
Shows interest in playing near other children (24 months)

Ways to Engage in Activities with Your Child

Engaging in activities with your child is not only a wonderful way to bond but also an opportunity to foster their development and create lasting memories together. Here are some ideas for children who are 18-24 months.

Play a game of passing a ball back and forth with your child. As your child improves, encourage them to kick the ball and run
Take your child to the park or playground to explore, ensuring constant supervision
Enlist your child's help in carrying small items while walking, such as light groceries
Involve your child in simple tasks like opening doors, drawers, or turning pages in a book
Stimulate your child's mind with blocks or puzzles featuring shapes, colors, animals, or fruits. Name each piece as it's correctly placed
Teach your child to recognize and name body parts, animals, and common objects
Expand on your child's vocabulary by adding to their phrases. For instance, if they say "ball," you can say "bounce the ball"
Narrate your actions and your child's actions during pretend play and daily routines
Encourage your child to express their needs verbally

Minimise screen time to video-chatting only.

Here are some signs to watch for in your child's development:

Unsteady walking or difficulty maintaining balance
Lack of heel-toe walking pattern after 4-5 months of independent walking
Walking solely on tiptoes
Failure to mimic words or actions by 24 months
Inability to follow simple instructions by 24 months
Absence of 2-word phrases in speech by 24 months
Regression in language or social skills
Limited or absent pointing or sharing of interests by 24 months
Reduced responsiveness to affection
Preference for solitary play

As your child progresses and reaches new milestones, it's important to acknowledge and celebrate each step of their journey. If you ever have questions or concerns about your child's development, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider or connect with the neonatal department at SGH for support and guidance. For additional assistance and valuable resources on the rewarding path of parenthood, we invite you to download our informative leaflet: Developmental Milestones (18 to 24 months).pdf

Exploring Toddlerhood: Milestones from 18 to 24 Months

Gross Motor

Fine Motor and Vision

Language and Hearing

Personal Social

Ways to Engage in Activities with Your Child