Toddler Timeline

  • Baby is born

    Baby is born
  • 13-15 months physical

    13-15 months physical
    May stand erect with only slight support. Cruises along furniture. Climbs on chairs, sofas, and tables. May climb stairs on hands and knees. May stand alone without support for a short time.
  • 13-15 months cognitive

    13-15 months cognitive
    Begins to form concepts. Notices actions of other children and adults. Loves to mimic all actions. Has very short memory and almost no forethought. Experiments with actions never tried before. Is able to fit round block into round hole in form board.
  • 16-18 months physical

    16-18 months physical
    May be able to walk sideways. Stands on either foot with support. Walks fast and runs stiffly. May show hand preference in all activities. Likes to grab anything and everything. Jumps with both feet.
  • 16-18 months cognative

    16-18 months cognative
    Gradually refines concepts. Remembers where objects belong. Has short attention span. Vocabulary increasese to six to ten words. Scribbles more freely but also can imitate strokes in drawing. Tries to imitate the ways parents use objects.
  • 19-21 months physical

    19-21 months physical
    Walks sideways and backward. Runs without falling often. Holds objects in hand easily. Can fold piece of paper once imitating demonstration.
  • 19-21 months cognitive

    19-21 months cognitive
    Progresses from simple imitation to imaginative play. Is interested in tiny things such as bugs. Imitates simple actions on request. Has a vocabulary of about 20 words.
  • 22-24 months physical

    22-24 months physical
    Walks with more coordination and assurance. Bounces and sways in simple dancing movements. Can throw ball into basket. Jumps both feet off the floor.
  • 22-24 months cognitive

    22-24 months cognitive
    Becomes interested in the outcome of activities rather than just the activities themselves. Follows simple directins. Has vocabulary of 50 or more words.
  • 24-30 months cognitive

    24-30 months cognitive
    Becomes increasingly interested in children's TV shows. Understands cause and effect in terms of own behavior. Is able to interpret pictures drawn or painted. Vocabulary starts at 200 words and increases to 500 or more in this period.
  • 24-30 months physical

    24-30 months physical
    Improves motor skills as torso lengthens and vaby fat begins to disappear. Climbs everywhere indoors, even in forbidden places.
    opens doors by turning knobs.
  • 30-36 months physical

    30-36 months physical
    Likes to be in constant motion, running or walking sideways or backward. Enjoys games involving runnning. Goes up stairs by alternating feet, but goes down one foot at a time.
  • 30-36 months cognitive

    30-36 months cognitive
    Begins to classify objects into general categories. Uses symbolic reresentation in make-believe play. Tries out various roles in make-believe play. Reveals intellectual curiosity in reading books and watching TV. Vocabulary starts at about 500 words and increases to 900 or 1000 in this period.