Is able to stack blocks (± 4 blocks)
Scribbles lines and circles
Attempts to open doors with knobs

Can stand on the tips of the toes (i.e., weight is placed on the balls of the feet rather than literally on the tips of the toes)
Kicks and runs
Climbs without help
Throws ball overhead
Walks up and down stairs independently

Verbalises actions
Can follow instructions that describe actions such as “sit down” or “life your foot up”
Likes to ask “why” questions
Replaces baby talk with real words
Says two to four-word sentences
Repeats parts of an overheard conversation
Names at least six body parts

May be keen to share play area but not toys
Still engages in parallel play
Can say when nappy is soiled/wet
Copies others’ behaviour
Gets excited when with other children
May display defiant behaviour; doing what he/she was told not to do

Enjoys sorting games
Is able to follow simple instructions
Engages in pretend play
Knows names of familiar people
Likes hiding and finding games
Can sort shapes and colours

Potty training can start any time between 18-36 months
Self-feeds independently
Can differentiate between wet and soiled nappy
Can put on socks and shoes

Enjoys moulding clay
Pencil grip has now progressed from a fist grip to a finger grip
Is able to pour from one cup to the next; spills may still happen

Shows a smooth heel-to-toe motion
Is able to run without falling
Coordination has improved for climbing, jumping, walking and moving up and down stairs
Is able to throw, catch and kick a ball
Is able to hit a stationary ball with a bat

Vocabulary has increased to at least 50 words
Is able to combine a few words to make a sentence
May start to use descriptive words like soft, hard, dirty and clean
Understands that you need to wait your turn to speak
Enjoys paging through magazines while pointing to familiar objects

May still shy away from strangers, but warms up more readily to new people
Enjoys looking at and interacting with themselves in the mirror, for example, pulling faces
May start to become aware of how they dress; have a desire to look good
May still struggle with the concept of sharing as they are self-centred (focused on own needs) at this age
Rituals and routines are an important component of security

Enjoys positioning objects inside one another through trial and error; experimenting with which objects are able to fit into a specific container
Is able to complete a two-piece puzzle

May start to show preferences and dislikes for certain foods

Enjoys playing with keys and is interested in locking and unlocking activities; positioning keys in keyholes
Enjoys building block constructions
Is becoming more skilled in holding a pencil with fingers instead of a full fist grip

Enjoys jumping on a trampoline
Is able to play simple catching and throwing games
Is starting to explore with the skill of anticipating a moving object and jumping over it, for example, jumping over a ball that is rolled towards them

Enjoys copying phrases that they hear on a regular basis; be careful what you say, they will copy (and most likely embarrass) you
Is able to copy phrases and use them in the correct context
May start to use the correct intonation for specific phrases, for example, the word really can be pronounced as a question or a statement depending on the intonation used

Prefers a certain routine and may get upset when the routine is changed or disrupted
May start to understand that they can experience negative emotions such as feeling angry. At this age, it is important to teach the toddler that emotions are OK but negative reactions are not. Feeling angry is OK but hitting a friend because you are angry, is not.

Is able to build a two to three-piece puzzle independently
May start with pretend play
Is able to name and identify approximately three colours
May start solving problems using trial and error until they get it right

Is able to put on own pants
Girls usually potty-train at this age
Boys usually potty-train closer to three years of age
Is able to self-feed with little spilling
Is able to pick out own outfit
May start to put on own socks and shoes independently

Is getting skilled in bilateral activities (using both hands simultaneously when doing activities)
Is able to roll out clay or playdough using a cake roller
Enjoys threading activities like threading a piece of wool through holes in a polystyrene container

Balances on one foot momentarily
Is able to jump forward with feet together
Enjoys riding on a balancing bike
Needs about three hours of physical activity per day

Is able to construct sentences but words might be in the wrong spot
Needs time to formulate sentences; therefore, allow ample time to answers questions

May be prone to pushing, shoving and temper tantrums
Needs structure and guidelines to direct them in social situations
Incorporate rules (house rules/rules when out shopping) and explain why you have these boundaries, for example, to ensure safety

Understands the concepts of different sizes like biggest and smallest
May start to experiment with numbers and copy you when you count 1, 2, 3

Is able to pull down and take off own pants
Is able to hold a cup with one hand

Shows an interest in arts and crafts
Enjoys painting with watercolour paint
Enjoys drawing
Enjoys playing with playdough
Is able to stack blocks and enjoys building structures with blocks such as Duplo

Is able to climb stairs, one foot at a time
Is able to stand on one leg, walk backwards and walk on the toes (i.e., weight is placed on the balls of the feet rather than the tips of the toes)
Is able to throw a ball overhand
Exploring and improving the following skills: jumping, running, hopping and skipping
Climbs onto and jumps off obstacles

Enjoys repeating/copying what someone else says “echolalia” (“parrot talk”)
Is able to formulate longer sentences
Is starting to express feelings
Vocabulary consists of about 200-250 words

Is starting to develop a sense of humour
Is starting to take note of and implement rules
May have an intense expression of emotion, which will become more regulated over time
Is still learning how to differentiate between reality and fantasy
Fantasy play may consist of giving living attributes to non-living objects, for example, the doll is thirsty
Enjoys interacting with other children although mainly through parallel play (playing alongside other children, not playing with them)
Is able to assert themselves and say NO

Is able to follow more complex instructions
Is able to do simple chores like picking up toys or wiping the table
Is able to recall previous events, for example, Granny bought me this toy

Is able to get dressed independently (excluding buttons, buckles and zips)
Is able to drink independently from a cup
Is able to eat with a spoon and a fork

Is able to draw horizontal and vertical lines and may start to draw circles
Is able to string large beads
Is able to page through a magazine or book, one page at a time
Is able to build an 8 to 10-block tower

Is able to climb up and down stairs independently while holding onto rail
Is able to stand and walk on the toes (i.e., weight is placed on the balls of the feet rather than on the toes)
Is able to balance on one leg

Vocabulary of 200-300 words
Uses 3 to 4-word sentences
Tends to copy words and phrases that they hear
May experience tantrums due to a lack in ability to express feelings, thoughts and needs

Is very self-centred, but learning to share and take turns
Is able to understand the concepts of right and wrong (what is allowed and what is not allowed)
May engage in more interactive play with other children
Is starting to develop a sense of humour
Is able to practise basic manners like saying hello, goodbye, please and thank you
Is able to express emotions and understand basic emotions of others
Is eager to establish independence; therefore, clear boundaries are essential

Is able to recall the events of the day, although not in the correct order
Builds 3 to 4-piece puzzles
Is able to sort objects by colour
Struggles to understand delay of gratification (the ability to wait and resist the temptation of an immediate reward in preference for a greater reward later)

May start potty-training (boys and girls)
Is able to brush teeth and wash own hands while parent gives supervision
Is able to get dressed independently
Is able to self-feed