Doctors use milestones to tell if a toddler is developing as expected. There is a wide range of what's considered normal, so your child may gain skills earlier or later than other children. Toddlers who were born prematurely may reach milestones later. Always talk with your doctor about your child's progress.

Here are things toddlers usually do by 18 months:

Communication and Speech Milestones

How Many Words Should My Toddler Say at 18 Months?

Every toddler develops at their own pace, but most 18-month-olds will say about ten words, including “mama” and “dada." Some say more and others less. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about your toddler’s language development.

Your child may also:

• understand about 100 to 200 words
• indicate no and yes either with words or shaking the head
• follow one-step directions given without you demonstrating, like ”Give the ball to me.”
• recognize and point to people, toys, or body parts
• clap, give a high-five, make a funny face or other gesture

How Can I Encourage Language Development?

Parents can help encourage language development by reading, singing, and talking to their children. Narrate daily activities using words to name people, places, and things you see and do.

Movement and Physical Milestones

A child on-the-go is a child that is learning. Make your home safe for exploring and watch your little one develop skills and confidence. At this age, kids may:

• walk on their own
• climb on a chair or couch without help
• drink from a cup without a lid (even if they spill!)
• use a spoon to eat
• scribble using a crayon
• throw a small ball

Social and Emotional Milestones

Kids this age are strengthening the bond with caregivers and learning to express themselves. They may:

• be willing to move away from you if they know you are close by
• show affection towards a doll or stuffed animal
• look at a few pages in a book with caregivers
• imitate activities they see you doing, such as cleaning the floor

Cognitive Milestones (Thinking and Learning)

Your little one is figuring things out and learning more every day. By 18 months, kids may: 

• play with toys, like pushing a toy car
• know what certain objects are used for, such as a toothbrush or comb
• follow simple commands

Development Activities to Encourage Your 18-Month-Old

Keep reading, singing, and talking to your child, and find ways to have fun together. Encourage physical movement by giving your child lots of things to do like taking walks, visiting parks, playing with age-appropriate toys, and dancing or being silly.

 Here are some activities to try:

• Smell a flower or fruit and name the object, scent, and feel of the object (soft, rough).
• Roll or toss a ball back and forth.
• Listen to music, dance, and sing.
• Sort objects by color, such as placing all the red blocks in one pile and blue blocks in another.
• Draw with crayons and talk about the colors, shapes, and names of things you draw.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

You know your toddler best. Share your concerns — even little ones — with your child's doctor.

If your toddler is not meeting one or more milestones or you notice that your child had skills but has lost them, tell the doctor.

To learn more about early signs of developmental problems, go to the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program.