Ages 12‑18 Months

Physical Development

  • Spend lots of time playing outdoors in safe places. Try running and kicking balls.
  • Play music and encourage dancing. Make music together with shakers, pots, and pans.
  • Build an obstacle course for your toddler to crawl through using boxes, chairs, big pillows, and other objects.
  • Provide pots with lids to encourage matching, and help your toddler solve simple, large-piece jigsaw puzzles.
What Your Toddler is Likely to Do
  • Walk alone.
  • Crawl or walk upstairs one step at a time, holding on to a railing or your hand.
  • Push and pull toys while walking.
  • Squat to pick up a toy without falling.
  • Climb by her‑ or himself on things (for example, chairs, sofas, and tables) or climb out of things (for example, cribs, high chairs, and strollers).
  • Give an object to another person if asked.
  • Pick up and eat small pieces of food.
  • Drink from a cup.
  • Turn a container upside down to get something out.
  • Turn pages of a book.
  • Stack three or more blocks.
  • Scribble with a big crayon.
Other Things Your Toddler May Do
  • Walk down stairs holding a railing, placing both feet on the same step.
  • Try to kick a ball.
  • Ride toys.
  • Run, but fall and run into things.
  • Walk backwards.
  • Feed her‑ or himself with a spoon.
  • Throw a ball forward.
  • Begin to unlatch, unscrew, open, and take apart things.
  • Squeeze, poke, and pat playdough.
  • Copy simple lines drawn on paper.
How You Can Help Physical Development
  • Continue to breastfeed.
  • Spend lots of time playing outdoors in safe places. Try running and kicking balls.
  • Play favourite music or songs and encourage dancing.
  • Build an obstacle course for your toddler to crawl through using boxes, chairs, big pillows, and other objects.
  • Provide different‑sized balls to kick and play with.
  • Let your toddler feed him‑ or herself with small pieces of food at mealtimes.
  • Offer plastic bowls for stacking and nesting.
  • Provide big crayons and lots of paper.
  • Provide pots with lids to encourage matching.
  • Help your toddler solve simple, large‑piece jigsaw puzzles.