Enjoys packing and unpacking; therefore, loves to explore by unpacking drawers and cupboards
Builds two to three-block towers and finds great joy in knocking them over
Picking up and throwing things around are a big favourite at this age
Enjoys holding a spoon in a fisted or palmar grasp and banging on a tin with the spoon
Can pull objects against resistance using a tight pincer grip
Coordinated dropping of objects through a hole

Can bend down to pick up an object; might still need external support
May be able to stand alone
May give first steps, although this can happen any time between 9-18 months
Will attempt walking on uneven surfaces
Practises cruising with a small chair or stable wagon
Practises moving from a sitting to a standing position by squatting
Tries to lift and carry larger objects
Tries to climb in and out of a box or large container
May roll a ball back and forth

Uses 2-4 words deliberately “these might include “momma” “dadda” “hello” and “bye”
Combines words and gestures to indicate needs; may tug at your hand and point
May start to point to certain objects while naming them
May start to recognise intonation
Introduce songs and rhymes to stimulate language development; might not be able to sing or say it with you yet, but will listen with great intent
May copy one animal sound, for example, a dog barking: “woof-woof”

Becomes more aware of sounds and may therefore be startled by loud noises like a horn, siren or even the vacuum cleaner, soothe the tears, be patient and give reassurance, allow exploration with these sounds on own terms
The parent is still the most important person and separation anxiety can occur
Becomes aware of own voice and wants to be heard

Any cause-and-effect game will be well-liked at this age. These games are effective because something happens as a result of an action or reaction; a game where you press a button and something opens or jumps out is good to start with
Loves to play peek-a-boo or hide-and-seek games
Enjoys throwing things and watching it tumbling down; this develops cognitive reasoning and is the start of understanding how gravity works; if you throw something up in the air, it will always come down
Is able to follow one simple instruction and perform it accurately
May notice objects that are far away like birds in flight and aeroplanes

Enjoys staring at own reflection
Uses a sippy cup confidently and may start drinking from a cup
Takes first bite using a spoon, although it might still be messy and uncoordinated
Starts imitating observed household chores like dusting or sweeping or stirring with a spoon in a pot
Confidently takes off items of clothing such as mittens, hat, shoes, socks or a scarf

Enjoys packing objects in and out of a container
Is able to pick up small objects using a pincer grip, even against gravity, for example, pulling pegs out of a peg board
May build a tower of 2-3 blocks

Pushes and pulls toys along while walking
May stoop down to pick up a toy without holding onto furniture
Is able to roll a ball forward while sitting
Enjoys falling games, for example, falling on a mattress or into a pile of cushions
Is able to pick up a ball and throw it forward, using both hands, while sitting
May do supported tumbles

Speaks 3-5 words but understands many more
Enjoys singing repetitive songs to the words they know
May imitate moves accompanied by a favourite song
May be slow to respond (verbal or non-verbal) be patient for a response when communicating, and maintain eye contact

Engages in parallel play; playing alongside other children but not engaging in play with them
Is self-centred and focused on own wants and needs
Battles to share toys with other children

May start initiating games and inviting parents to play along
May point to one body part when prompted
Matches lids with appropriate containers
May start to follow two-step instructions
Enjoys playing hiding games
Starts understanding the function of objects by means of imitation, for example, will hold a phone to the ear or copy scribbling in a book while parent is writing

May feed self with a spoon; is able to bring spoon to mouth but it is still a messy process
Enjoys imitating others in terms of facial expression, tone of voice and hand gestures

May open lids of plastic containers and even attempt to put them back on again
Enjoys transporting small objects from one container to the next
Enjoys pulling small objects, like a drinking straw, ribbon or pipe cleaner, from a hole
Has well-developed fine motor skills; can even pick up a grain of rice from the floor
May open and close zips using both hands

Most children are able to walk at this age
May walk and go around corners with more ease
Experiments with estimating the distance between the back of the legs and the chair when sitting down
May start to run, although it is still a clumsy action that might result into a fall on all fours
Loves to explore on climbing apparatus, attempting small steps while holding on
A swing might be a firm favourite
May be able to pick up an object without holding onto furniture and carry the object while walking around
Likes to reach and pull things off a shelf
May stand and kick a large ball
Can throw a ball forward using both hands
Enjoys dancing; lifting hands and stomping feet

Is able to say about 5 words, including “mommy” and “daddy”
Vocabulary is not very wide but understands many words
Is able to follow simple instructions like, “Hand me your shoes”
Reading books is a firm favourite and exceptionally good for language development
Starts to point at objects in a book and observes while parents name them
May start to mimic animal sounds while pointing at the corresponding animal
Is able to communicate desires, needs and wants by gesturing or pointing

Assertive and focused on satisfying needs and wants
Likes to be the centre of attention
Destructive and whirlwind phase
Tries to establish what the limits and boundaries are and will try to test it
May understand basic emotions when explained and voiced as it is being experienced

Keen to experiment with objects
Starts to understand the function of objects
Can identify family members from a photograph
Can point out an object when parent asks where it is

Loves to imitate parents behaviour like waving goodbye, blowing kisses or smiling on request
May insist on brushing teeth independently