Ages 18‑24 Months

Physical Development

• Play with your toddler by pretending to be an animal: "hop like a frog, fly like a bird, jump like a rabbit."
• Offer things like finger paints, paints and easels, ride-on toys, and push-pull toys.
• Only help your toddler dress and undress when needed.
• Spend lots of time playing outdoors in safe places, like a toddler playground. Try toys that allow pushing and pedalling with feet.

What Your Toddler is Likely to Do

• Ride on a small‑wheeled toy.
• Carry a large toy while walking.
• Kick a ball.
• Squat while playing.
• Walk backwards or sideways while pulling a toy.
• Back into a chair to sit down.
• Remove lids from containers.
• Nest cups and boxes inside each other.
• Take off his or her shoes, hat, and socks.
• String large beads with two hands.
• Raise and drink from a cup, then put it back on the table.

Other Things Your Toddler May Do

• Walk on tiptoes.
• Throw and go get objects.
• Jump in place with both feet.
• Catch a large ball.
• Open doors by turning knobs.
• Copy straight or circular strokes with a crayon.
• Snip with child‑sized scissors.
• Fold paper in half.

How You Can Help Physical Development

• Continue to breastfeed.
• Spend lots of time playing outdoors in safe places, like a toddler playground. Try running and kicking balls.
• Look for child‑sized versions of adult things, such as furniture, a soccer ball, a plastic baseball and bat, or garden tools.
• Try toys that allow pushing and pedalling with feet.
• Play with your toddler by pretending to be an animal: “hop like a frog, fly like a bird, jump like a rabbit.”
• Describe your toddler’s movements and actions as she or he does them. If your toddler climbs the stairs, say, “You’re climbing the stairs.”
• Play different kinds of music for your toddler to dance to, such as marches, rock ’n’ roll, and waltzes.
• Encourage your toddler to dress and undress on his or her own.
• Only help when needed.
• Provide lots of containers during bath time.
• Offer activities that require the sorting of shapes.
• Offer things like finger paints, paints and easels, ride‑on toys, and push‑pull toys.