DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES - ONE TO TWO YEARS

Gross Motor

• Walks independently
• Pulls toys while walking
• Carries large toy or several toys while walking
• Stoops to pick item up and stands again without holding on to anything
• Can walk backward
• Begins to run
• Stands on tiptoes
• Kicks a ball
• Walks up and down stairs while holding on to railing

Fine Motor

• Scribbles spontaneously
• Turns over containers to pour out contents
• Builds tower of four blocks or more
• Possibly uses one hand more frequently than the other

Language

• Turns and looks when called
• Points to object or picture when it’s named
• Waves “bye-bye” when someone is leaving, and says “bye-bye”
• Recognizes names of familiar people, objects, and body parts
• Says several single words like cup and out
• Uses two-word phrases such as want drink
• Follows simple instructions
• Repeats words overheard in conversation
• Uses objects, body gestures, and simple words to communicate

Personal and Social

• Finds objects even when hidden under two or three covers
• Can perform simple tasks or chores around the house
• Can pull off some of own clothing
• Begins to play make-believe
• Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children
• Is more aware of self as separate from others; recognizes self in photos
• Is increasingly enthusiastic about the company of other children

Other Characteristics and Behaviors to expect

• Demonstrates increasing independence
• Strives to leave caretakers to explore things but fears separation
• Begins to show defiant behavior
• Displays separation anxiety, which increases toward midyear then fades
• second birthday approaches
• Tries to imitate adult speech and shows frustration when he cannot

Talk with Your Child’s Doctor if Your Baby

• Is unable to walk unassisted by 18 months
• Has not developed a mature heel-toe walking pattern after several months
• of walking, or walks exclusively on toes
• Doesn’t speak at least two to three words by 18 months
• Does not seem to know the function of common household objects by 15 months
• Doesn’t imitate actions or words by age two
• Is unable to follow simple instructions by age two
• Can’t push a wheeled toy by age two