Growth and Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months

What to Expect

General growth and development

Children usually progress in a natural, predictable sequence from one developmental milestone to the next. Children who are between 12 and 24 months of age make gains in five major areas: physical growth, cognitive abilities, emotional and social development, language skills, and sensory and motor development.

• Physical growth, although slower than in the first year of life, continues at a steady pace. In the second year, toddlers gain an average of 3 lb (1.4 kg) to 5 lb (2.3 kg) and grow an average of 3 in. (7.6 cm) to 5 in. (12.7 cm) Also, teething continues with the eruption of the first molar teeth.
• Cognitive development is a child's increasing skill at thinking, learning, reasoning, and remembering. A toddler begins to recall past events, understand symbols, imitate, imagine, and pretend.
• Emotional and social development during the second year is characterized by strong emotional attachments to parents. Your child may feel uneasy and cry when he or she is separated from you. During this time, toddlers typically develop two conflicting feelings: wanting both independence and reassurance from their parents. Also, although their emotions change often, toddlers' personalities and temperament are becoming more defined.
• Language development rapidly progresses. At 12 months, your child can usually say a few words and jabbers often. At 15 to 18 months, a typical toddler understands 10 times more than he or she can put into words. Speech begins with one- or two-syllable words, such as "mama." This progresses to short two-word sentences, such as "no peas" or "walk dog," sometime between 18 and 24 months. By 24 months, a typical toddler has a 50- to 100-word vocabulary.
• Sensory and motor skills advance as your toddler starts walking and moving around. Climbing, running, and hopping soon follow.

Although most children reach milestones, such as walking and talking, by a specific age, it is important to remember that development happens at an individual pace. Also, many children tend to make progress in one area, such as talking, while another skill, such as walking, levels off. If your child has a slight delay in an area, it does not always mean there is a problem. However, talk to your doctor anytime you have a concern.

Milestones by age

By 12 months (1 year) of age your child is walking without help or by holding onto furniture ("cruising"). Most children will have a few teeth and like to put almost anything in their mouths that they can. Your child will likely say a few words and practice a lot of sounds. He or she will like to "flirt" with you and other caregivers.

By 18 months of age—look out!—your child is walking with ease and anything within reach is fair game. He or she likes to press buttons, move handles, and turn knobs. You will notice your child pretending to "feed" a toy or a similar act that he or she sees. Your child understands 10 times as many words as he or she can say, including the names of some people, body parts, and objects. He or she can often point to an object in a book when asked.

By 24 months (2 years) of age your child often feels excited, confused, and scared about his or her emerging independence. Temper tantrums may start happening regularly. Your child begins thinking in more complex ways, such as recalling events that happened days earlier. Your child's make-believe world gets bigger as he or she may have play "events" rather than just one act. For example, he or she may pretend to be a mommy or daddy and care for a baby by changing a stuffed animal's diaper and feeding it a bottle. Most children say at least 50 words and use two-word phrases. Not only can your toddler walk, but he or she also can run—and go up and down stairs.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: May 25, 2007
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics
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