1-2 Years Milestones
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 onto anything
- Can walk backwards
- Kicks a ball
- Walks up and down stairs
Fine Motor
- Scribbles spontaneously
- Turns over containers to put out contents
- Builds tower of 3–4 blocks (15–17 months) 6–8 blocks (18–23 months)
- Possibly uses one hand more frequently than the other
- Functional supination
- Nests cups
- Releases and places an object in horizontal opening (17-18 months)
- Strings one bead (17–18 months); 3 beads (18–24 months)
- Imitates vertical stroke (17–18 months)
- Places 3 shapes into form board puzzle(18–23 months)
Language/Oral Motor
- Turns and looks when name is called
- Points to object or picture when it is 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 up 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
- Lip closure during chewing
- Reduced tongue extension during swallowing (16–18 months)
- Controlled bite without associated head movement (16–18 months)
- Uses tongue to clean lips (19–24 months)
- Straw drinking with lips (19–24 months)
- Chews meat completely (19–24 months)
- Transfers across midline (19–24 months)
Personal and Social
- Finds object even when hidden under two or three covers
- Can perform simple tasks or chores around the house
- Can pull off some clothing
- Begins to play make-believe
- Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and 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
- Demonstrates increased independence
- Strives to leave caretakers to explore, but fears separation
- Begins to show defiant behavior
- Displays separation anxiety which increases towards 1½ years and fades as 2nd birthday approaches
