Developmental Skills

• Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children
• More aware of herself as separate from others
• More excited about company of other children
• Demonstrates increasing independence
• Begins to show defiant behavior
• Separation anxiety increases toward midyear then fades

Supporting Activities

• Continue to provide a comfort and safe, peaceful environment.
• Praise child when a child indicates toilet needs.
• Play simple games with child (Ring around the Rosie).
• Help child play dress up.
• Develop special interactions or "I love you" rituals (special tickle, special nickname).
• Respect child's expression of independence, but with limits (allow child to paint with water on sidewalk but not on inside walls).

Developmental Skills

• Says several single words (by 15 to 18 months)
• Uses simple 2-4 word phrases (by 18 to 24 months)
• Begins to make choices (which shirt to wear, whether to play inside or outside)
• Points to object or picture when it's named for him
• Recognizes names of familiar people, objects, and body parts
• Repeats words overheard in conversation

Supporting Activities

• Listen to and talk with your child.
• Read picture books for 10 minutes each day with your child and talk about the pictures.
• Point out colors of objects in pictures.
• Give simple answers to child's questions.
• Label shelves and toy boxes/bins with pictures and name of toy.
• Sing songs and nursery rhymes.

Developmental Skills

• Uses spoon and cup independently
• Turns handle to open door
• Completes simple insert puzzles (4-6 pieces)
• Unscrews lids
• Builds 6 to 8 block tower
• Snips paper with scissors
• Scribbles on his or her own
• Turns over container to pour out contents
• Might use one hand more often than the other

Supporting Activities

• Provide simple puzzles for child to complete.
• Provide child with small safety scissors and paper to snip.
• Provide sand, pudding, or finger paint for writing with finger.
• Provide many containers with toys to open and close.
• Provide a busy box or purse with simple hooks to undo, compartments to open and other things for children to manipulate.

Developmental Skills

• Rides and steers wheeled toys
• Pushes or pulls door open
• Walks up stairs holding rail
• Pulls toys behind her while walking
• Carries large toy or several toys while walking
• Begins to run
• Stands on tiptoe
• Kicks a ball
• Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted

Supporting Activities

• Arrange for child to play games with others (London Bridge is Falling Down, Tag).
• Encourage child to practice throwing balls and beanbags.
• Provide practice in riding a tricycle.
• Show child how to jump over a chalk mark or a hose laid flat on the ground.
• Run with the child in safe places.
• Let child roll on grass or sand.