How does a baby develop between 18 and 24 months

By around 18 months a child is truly becoming independent. They love copying every household task they see their parents do and will try to “do it themselves” whenever they find suitable tools. It is important to support this early, simple yet very expressive form of role play by giving them safe, accessible objects to use.

They do not only like to “work”. They help with getting dressed, wash their tummy in the bath, and tuck Dad in if he nods off in the armchair. Little ones have many adorable habits in this stage.
Let us look at the other areas that matter for development too.

They see colours, space and small distances well 

Vision has reached a level where it drives exploration. Being able to perceive depth and distance, and to reach accurately for objects as far as 35 cm away, widens the scope for movement and learning. If your child loves to draw and scribble, it is good to know that making a mark is a basic human urge and motivation.

A key part of this creative process is letting children unfold. At around 18 months they begin dotting by bracing the pencil, use both hands to make lines, then create tangles and spiral scribbles. You can offer chunky coloured pencils, toddler crayons, washable chalks, or even a home made sponge dabber with beetroot juice. Do not forget to display their art on the fridge or wall so they can admire it with pride.

When might there be a problem with vision

If you notice anything unusual, see an eye specialist. For example, if your child starts bumping into furniture more often or falling during toddling and walking, there may be an issue with sharp vision. It is also a sign if they hold books or toys very close to see.

What is auditory attention 

Also called auditory focus, this covers information that reaches a child through hearing. They can differentiate, identify and interpret sounds, and in noisy places they can pick out the adult voice speaking to them. They recognise sounds from different directions, even from behind. Developing auditory attention has become especially important for today’s children.

Children understand spoken language before they start learning words and saying them. They love how loud and varied the world is, and any sound grabs their attention. To use this interest in the most pleasant and musical way, choose properly tuned instruments as your “sound sources”, such as a recorder, piano, small drum or xylophone. This develops musical hearing and lets them enjoy clear, chiming tones, which may even lay the groundwork for later musical interests.

Hearing can have issues too. If your child does not respond to their name or to unusual sounds, see a specialist to check hearing. It is harder to spot when they struggle to tell sounds apart. If they confuse objects that make similar noises, take this seriously.

Walking continues to develop 

Steps become longer and quicker. You will notice their arms are no longer held high for balance. There is now an alternating arm and leg pattern, with right arm and leg moving together, then left. By age two they no longer stamp the whole foot flat at once. They roll the foot, heel touching first. They can walk on different surfaces, on slopes and over obstacles, often stepping over rather than going around. By two years old, on the stairs they usually go independently, holding the rail with one hand and placing one foot beside the other on each step.

They begin to run and jump, which both need good leg strength. In both, they must leave the ground, so balance plays an active part.
Keep the surroundings safe, as falls are still easy. Make sure there is a safe area for running and jumping.

Fine motor activity needs concentration. By 18 months children scribble, build, unwrap and put toys into containers. Shape sorters are popular and develop precise movements. Wooden blocks are a classic, letting children enjoy building. Dough is one of the best tools, supporting hand and eye coordination, dexterity, creativity and muscle strength.

Welcome to the “What is this” phase 

This exciting stage starts as children realise that everything has a name. Curiosity and the hunger to learn drive them to ask about everything.
They can memorise names so quickly that hearing it once may be enough. There is a vocabulary spurt. Many new words are stored in passive vocabulary and then pop up in speech. In this period the first two word sentence appears, such as “Mummy sit”. They understand speech and can follow requests.

What are the key social skills at this age 

• Starts conversations and play with two word sentences

• Enjoys copying household tasks, early role play appears

• Shows empathy and the wish to comfort

• Begins to understand family rules, and the meaning of breaking them

• Insists on independent actions

• Helps actively during dressing

How is self care progressing in this stage 

Children try independence by watching adults and imitating them. There are many things they may pick up, depending on interests. A few examples:

• Signals when a nappy needs changing

• Chews lumpy food

• Eats independently with a small spoon

• Tries to take off clothes on their own

What toys do we recommend 

Since little ones love to copy Mum and Dad at housework, offer safe tools so they can act out what they see. If cooking fascinates them, a small saucepan and little wooden spoon can keep them busy for ages. To make it fun, put a little sugar or semolina in the pan to stir. Keep an eye out, not only for spills but also to make sure the “cooked lunch” does not get eaten.

Books and picture magazines help them recognise things they have already seen in real life. Add a story and you create truly cosy moments with shared attention and time together.

Building towers is an important step. Provide blocks, wooden or even foam. Jigsaws can be new too. Choose simple sets with a few pieces for the very young.

Enjoy role play together. You can pretend cooking or sweeping. Give them a small bucket to carry pebbles in the garden, or a spade to scoop sand, and let them carry things around with purpose and a plan.

Earlier you could read a summary article on baby development month by month. If you have not explored it yet, we recommend taking a look. We present the stages of baby development in several blog posts, highlighting vision, hearing, movement, communication, socialisation and learning.

References:

NHS — First words and little sentences: 1 to 2 years

NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough — 18-month developmental milestones