Picks up small objects with a pincer grip
May start to grip and open a clothes peg by holding it in both hands
Drops small objects through a tiny hole, for example, dropping a toothpick through the holes of a strainer
May start to thread large beads with a shoelace

Is walking confidently
Needs to hold onto parent’s hand while climbing down stairs
Enjoys pushing large toys or small chairs
Enjoys climbing on the sofa
Kicks a ball from a standing position
Enjoys an obstacle course with elements of climbing and crawling

Vocabulary of approximately 20 words
May start to say two-word phrases
Starts to sing along to familiar tunes

Cries hysterically when hearing loud noises, especially when parents are not around
Anxious and emotional when parents leave

May sort 2 different colours in separate boxes
May sort toys in different colours
Names more than 5 body parts
Stacks a tower with more than 5 blocks

May start imitating outfits and accessories of parents
May insist on doing some self-help activities independently such as washing hands and putting on socks

Can hold a bucket in one hand while picking up and dumping objects into the bucket with the other hand
Enjoys screwing off small lids
Draws finger scribbles in lotion or instant pudding on a tray

Enjoys running activities
Can sideways with limited assistance
Enjoys throwing beanbags at a target
May be able to balance on a ball in a sitting position while bobbing up and down
Is able to do wheelbarrow walking for 2-3 metres

• May understands as many as 200 words
• May start to put 2 words together
• Has a speaking vocabulary of 10-20 words
• When reading familiar books, allow toddler to fill in the missing words
• Enjoys listening to descriptive words when you explain familiar concepts like function, size, texture, etc.

Enjoys imitating household chores
Work = play, so allow toddler to help
Loves to be included in household tasks like preparing meals, for example, handing veggies from the drawer
Thrives on adoring adult affection

Is able to correctly identify familiar sounds that can be heard but not seen
May enjoy playing with a shape sorting box
May start to match toys that are the same shape or colour

Washes and dries hands
Is aware of the urge to pee/poo and may start to experiment with the potty
Points to corresponding picture in a book when you name an object

Enjoys scribbling with crayons on paper
Threads smaller objects like fruit loops into a skewer stick or toothpick
May stack toys in arms and carry it around

Starts to throw a ball overhead
Starts to kick a ball forward
Enjoys jumping activities
Is able to walk backwards with assistance
Enjoys pushing and pulling activities, for example, pushing a large box or doll pram around
May participate in wheelbarrow-walking activities

Can use 2-word sentences; very understandable
Loves imitating words and sounds
Understands more than it seems; therefore, use plenty of descriptive words when communicating
Can follow instructions, for example, fetching shoes or a toy in room
Enjoys listening to mom or dadâ’s voice on the phone and may start to communicate with someone on the phone

Starts imitative play by taking care of toys (feeding/cuddling/putting them to bed)
May start to engage in fantasy dress up games

Knows what items are without being able to say the corresponding word
Is becoming aware of sounds that cannot be seen like a dog barking/car hooter
Is able to sort 3 colours
Understands the concept of large and small and may start to stack rings or cups correctly with larger ones at the bottom and smaller ones at the top

Likes to be involved in simple chores
– Cleaning the table
– Putting blocks in basket
– Dusting
Can use spoon and fork
May start to potty train (girls usually master potty training first)
Enjoys choosing own outfit for the day (give 2 options to choose from)

May start to draw on paper (scribble)
Copies a simple shape like a circle
Uses blocks to build a tower (4 blocks)

Balances on a log or balance beam
Jumps on the trampoline (2 legs)
Jumps from one block to the next
Carries small chairs around
Kicks a ball independently while standing

Sings songs with movements
Uses 2 to 3-word sentences
Pronounces words accurately
Is able to find a familiar object with verbal instruction

Likes things done their way; allow choices to accommodate, but make it clear that some behaviour will not be tolerated
Sharing is not something that comes naturally at this age “mine” is the norm
Can incorporate the concept of taking turns “my turn, your turn”
Seems like a “revved-up” ball of energy
Encourage independence by letting toddler do things for himself/herself
Can identify self on a photograph

Can name body parts on a doll
Builds 2 to 3-piece puzzle
Can find objects (pictures) in a book and point to them
Can memorise 3 objects and identify them accurately when presented along with other objects
Sorts blocks into colour and shape categories

Eats independently but still messy
Drinks independently from a cup
Uses a spoon and fork but still likes to eat with hands
Shows interest in and may even start to use the toilet
Starts with imaginative play
Is able to partially dress, and undress a doll

Loves to build towers with blocks
Threads string through holes in a stable board like polystyrene or hardboard
Enjoys poking and pinching playdough
May be able to correctly position and paste stickers on paper

Kicks a ball while standing and is able to maintain balance
Is skilled at running but not stopping or turning corners
Enjoys climbing over obstacles

Has a 20-word speaking vocabulary but understands much more
May start using familiar phrases like “thank you” or “please” with the correct intonation and in the proper context
Encourage speech by using rhymes or start with continued repetition of the same phrase and let toddler fill in the missing words, thus improving listening skills
Enjoys stories that are personalised using toddler’s own name

Is possessive of parents
Likes to observe your reaction to their demands
Likes to give plenty of love and affection; likes giving hugs
May have feelings they cannot express; try to voice what he/she feels

Can name at least 5 body parts when prompted
Recognises when a book is upside down
When reading, allow toddler to point and name what he/she sees
May be able to identify 3 shapes when asked to point at the correct one

Can ask for help when struggling with a task
Can assist with household tasks
Is able to put on socks and shoes with limited assistance
Enjoys imitative fantasy play like nurturing or rocking a doll to sleep or pushing toy cars on the floor while making engine noises
Enjoys packing own bag with toys and treasures

Clips clothes pegs on a line
Draws circular patterns
Imitates simple shapes or drawings like a straight line on a piece of paper
Can pour water from one cup to another

Makes somersaults independently
Likes to jump, run, twirl, tumble
Can stand on tips of toes
Can bend down without squatting
Climbs up and down stairs by holding on
Is able to hit a ball on the floor with a wooden spoon
Can start riding a tricycle

Follows simple, 2-step instructions
Has a vocabulary of at least 20 words
Can make needs known with simple, 2 to 3-word sentences
Start to progress to books with detailed pictures and ask more questions while you read
Repeats words heard in conversation

Wants to test limits but also wants to please you
Teach the words that go with emotions; this will aid in the development of emotional intelligence
May be clingy; talk about fears and explain the daily routine, for example, when dropping him/her off at school, give assurance that you will be back at a certain time
Likes to entertain others by making funny faces

Is confident in sorting shapes
Can remember well after several hours, for example, if something was left behind in the car
Is confident in stacking a tower in the right sequence, for example, large to small
Completes a 2 to 3-piece puzzle
Knows that he/she is a separate entity when starting to name himself/herself or talk about “themselves”

Puts on own shirt head first
May undress pants
Mimics adult behaviour like drinking tea
Is able to feed self
Keep playdates short; 30-60 minutes
Enjoys imitating self-help tasks like bathing a doll