Toddlers

Academic Goals

1. Walks alone by 18-months
2. Speaks at least 15 words by 18-months
3. Uses two-word sentences by age 2
4. Imitates actions or words
5. Follows simple instructions by age 2

Developmental Milestones

Movement

• Walks alone 
• Pulls toys behind him/her while walking
• Carries large toy or several toys while walking
• Begins to run
• Stands on tiptoes
• Kicks a ball
• Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted
• Walks up and down stairs holding on to support
• Hand and Finger Skills
• Scribbles spontaneously
• Turns over container to pour out contents
• Builds tower of four blocks or more
• Might use one hand more frequently than the other

Language 

• Points to object or picture when it's named for him
• Recognizes names of familiar people, objects and body parts
• Says several single words (by 15 to 18 months)
• Uses simple phrases (by 18 to 24 months)
• Uses two- to four-word sentences
• Follows simple instructions
• Repeats words overheard in conversation

Cognitive

• Finds objects even when hidden under two or three covers
• Begins to sort by shapes and colors
• Begins make-believe play

Social

• Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children
• Increasingly aware of themselves as separate from others
• Increasingly enthusiastic about company of other children

Emotional

• Demonstrates increasing independence
• Begins to show defiant behavior
• Episodes of separation anxiety increase toward midyear then fade