Eighteen Month Milestones: What to Expect 🫶
Every baby is on their own path and can hit milestones at different times! But it’s always good to know what milestones they should be hitting soon.
If you have an eighteen month old or soon to be eighteen month old, here are some things you can expect them to do soon!
Social/Emotional Milestones
• Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
• Points to show you something interesting
• Puts hands out for you to wash them
• Looks at a few pages in a book with you
• Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot
Language/Communication Milestones
• Tries to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada"
• Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, "Give it to me."
Cognitive Milestones
• Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
• Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car
Movement/Physical Development
Milestones:
• Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
• Scribbles
• Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
• Feeds themselves with their fingers
• Tries to use a spoon
• Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help
If your baby isn’t doing all of these things by eighteen months, it’s ok, some babies may take a little longer for any milestone. But it’s important to bring up any concerns you have with your pediatrician!
If your babies were born early, like mine, it is completely normal for them to be behind on milestones. They typically catch up by two years old!
Check back next week for two year milestones!
As my little one hit the 18-month mark, it felt like a whirlwind of new discoveries every day! Beyond the core milestones, I found myself exploring new ways to encourage development, and one of my favorites was messy play. It might sound daunting, but the benefits are truly incredible. For an 18-month-old, messy play isn't just about making a beautiful 'poster' (though they might create some abstract masterpieces!). It's a fantastic way to boost their cognitive milestones and social/emotional milestones simultaneously. Think about it: squishing playdough, painting with yogurt, or even just splashing in water with a few toys. These activities engage multiple senses – touch, sight, even smell (depending on what you're using!). This sensory exploration is crucial for brain development. I remember setting up a simple rice bin for my toddler; watching them scoop, pour, and feel the different textures was amazing. They were developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and even early math concepts like 'more' or 'less.' Messy play also offers a safe space for emotional expression. If they're frustrated, they can pound the dough; if they're curious, they can mix colors. It's a low-pressure environment where there's no 'right' or 'wrong' way to play, which fosters confidence and creativity – key aspects of healthy social/emotional development. Plus, if you join in, it becomes a wonderful bonding experience, teaching them about sharing and parallel play. Don't worry too much about the clean-up; a big sheet or an outdoor spot can make it much easier! You can even make a 'messy play poster' by letting them decorate a large piece of paper on the floor – a fun way to capture their creative energy and show off their budding skills. Another fascinating thing I learned during this stage was about how babies perceive the world visually, especially when it comes to seeing color. While newborns see the world mostly in shades of gray, by 18 months, their color vision is incredibly well-developed. They can distinguish between a wide range of hues and often start showing preferences for certain bright colors. This is why colorful books, toys, and environments are so important! I made sure to point out colors when we were reading books or playing with blocks: 'Look, a red car!' or 'Can you find the blue ball?' It's a simple way to boost their language/communication milestones as they learn to associate words with what they see. Understanding that babies can fully appreciate color at this stage really changed how I approached playtime. Instead of just focusing on shapes or sounds, I added a vibrant dimension to our activities. It's truly amazing to witness their growing perception and how they connect with the colorful world around them. Remember, every little experience, from messy play to pointing out colors, contributes to their overall growth and helps them reach those incredible 18-month milestones!