Toddler Milestones: What Skills Will Your Child Develop and When?

Now that your child has reached toddlerhood, they will grow more independent and show off their developing individuality. The ages of one to three are essential for gaining critical abilities such as transitioning from crawling to walking and babbling to uttering complete phrases. However, how your kid interacts with others will significantly impact toddler milestones and development.Of course, it's natural to be concerned if your friends' children are already reciting the alphabet while your child is just learning "mama" and "dada," but don't worry. Kids don't meet milestones on the clock, says Dr. Rani Koppul, Gleneagles Hospitals. If your kid does not walk when an online chart claims they should, don't worry about it. People often encourage you to regard reaching milestones as a competition—a mistaken baby Olympics. Support your kid and enjoy their development rate.

Milestones for toddlers aged 12 months:

At 12 months, your freshly minted child is most likely just beginning to speak their first words (usually 'mama' and 'dada'). They may also begin playing favourites and continue to feel apprehensive around new individuals, which is part of the significant social progress they are making in their toddler development.

Toddler milestones your kid will soon achieve at 12 months:

Says, 'mama' and 'dada'
Explores items by placing them in containers and shaking them
Begin using cups and other objects properly
Stand on their own
Cruises while clinging onto furniture
Use noises or movements to capture your attention.
Plays favourites with people and things

Milestones for a 15-month-old toddler:

At 15 months, your toddler may begin to take a few shaky steps and mimic other toddlers during playing. They will also begin to exhibit love for you and your toys via hugs, kisses, and cuddles.

Toddler milestones your kid will soon achieve at 15 months:

Follows basic instructions (provided via gestures and speech)
Take a couple of steps
Shows affection for loved ones
Imitates other children while playing and uses clapping to express joy
Points at items to ask for something or obtain assistance

Milestones for toddlers at the age of 18 months:

Your 18-month-old is most likely making sense of the world by discovering how basic things function and getting attracted by ordinary goods such as the TV remote and your phone.

Toddler milestones your kid will soon achieve at 18 months:

Has temper outbursts
Walk solo
Helps children dress themselves
Drinks out of a cup and attempts to use a spoon
Scribbles

Milestones for two-year-old toddlers:

Yes, you are about to reach the "terrible twos," a stage of toddler development dubbed for the acts of disobedience and emotional meltdowns that often peak around this time. However, this age may be rather enjoyable, as your child's leisure activities grow more complex and inventive. Parents also play an important role here. Foster your child's development by playing with them and encouraging them when you see them trying to master something new, advises Dr. Rani.

Toddler milestones your kid will soon achieve at 2 years:

Demonstrates more independence, even a little resistance
recognises the names of recognisable persons and physical components
String sentences with at least two words
Kicks the ball and may toss it overhand
Echoes what you say
Begin to employ gestures beyond waving and pointing, such as blowing a kiss
Begin to demonstrate a hand preference
Can sprint and stand on tiptoes
Builds towers using four or more blocks

Milestones for toddlers at 30 months of age:

By two and a half years old, your child is likely to have reached a variety of milestones! By this age, kids may be able to talk rapidly or be completely toilet trained.

Toddler milestones your kid will soon achieve at 30 months:

Enjoys playing with (and occasionally with!) other children
Can follow a basic routine and two-step instructions
Uses things for pretend play, such as feeding a block to a doll
Begin categorising shapes and colours
Can speak around 50 words and identify specific things in a familiar book
Uses the words "I," "me," or "we"
Can leap from the ground with both feet
Can partly undress oneself

Milestones for a 3-year-old toddler:

When your child reaches preschool, it's natural to compare his or her growth to that of other children but avoid the urge. Each stage of toddler development is influenced by a variety of variables.

Toddler milestones your kid will soon achieve at 3 years:

Draws straight lines and circles
Talks well enough that outsiders can understand them
Capable of dressing and undressing oneself, as well as climbing
Solve problems including three or four components
Follow multiple-step directions
Understands prepositions (in, on, and beneath)
Uses pronouns and plural nouns
Takes turns in games
demonstrates a wide variety of emotions
Asks "who," "what," "where," and "why" enquiries
Understands the idea of "two"

More development stages at this age:

Language development: Children generally understand more than they can communicate throughout toddlerhood because they develop receptive language skills before expressive ones. Even if some toddlers start talking later, their understanding is shown by their ability to follow basic directions. Reading, singing, and dialogue all help to encourage language using its critical growth.

Mental development: Cognitive ability changes dramatically throughout this time. Simple puzzles, pattern recognition, and cause-and-effect linkages are among the things toddlers start to solve. Simple puzzles, item sorting, and block-building exercises foster cognitive development and critical thinking ability.

Emotional regulation: Toddlers start to learn how to regulate their impulses and more appropriately communicate their emotions as they develop. Common as kids negotiate their emotions and disappointments are temper tantrums. Parents may model emotional expression and provide strategies for controlling powerful emotions, including breathing exercises or soothing methods.

Sensory development: Essential for their growth, toddlers play with their senses. Through textures, noises, and tastes, they aid in improving their sensory processing abilities. Playing with sand, water, or playdough may help to improve this side of development and inspire inquiry.

Multilingual development: Exposure to many languages may improve cognitive flexibility and problem-solving ability for young children growing up in multilingual homes. Initially, they will mix languages, but they will progressively separate them to highlight their linguistic learning and adaptation skills.

Social skills beyond peer interaction: Toddlers learn social skills by seeing adult actions and interactions as much as by interacting with peers. Future friendships and social contacts start with their learning to share, turn around, and participate in cooperative play. Playdates and excellent social behaviour modelling by parents help to foster these abilities.

It's thrilling to see your child develop and learn in front of your eyes. As tempting as it may be, avoid comparing your kid's development to that of their classmates; your child will grow at their speed. If you have any queries or concerns regarding your toddler's developmental milestones, please contact your paediatrician. They will be able to help you in finding answers and, if required, determine the following actions.Medically approved by Dr Rani Koppula, General Surgeon, Gleneagles Hospital, Hyderabad.

FAQs on Toddler Milestones: What Skills Will Your Child Develop and When?

What are the milestone skills for children?Developmental milestones include taking the first step, smiling for the first time, and waving "bye bye". Children attain milestones in their play, learning, speaking, acting, and physical development.
At what age do toddlers learn the most?According to recent research, the most essential years of a child's development are from birth to age three.