13-15 Months:
- Increases vocabulary to about 10-20 words.
- Uses simple gestures like pointing to communicate.
- Begins to combine words, such as “more milk” or “bye-bye mommy.”
- Follows simple one-step commands like “Give me the ball.”
15-18 Months:
- Vocabulary expands to about 50 words or more.
- Uses words to label familiar objects and people.
- Begins to use pronouns like “me,” “you,” and “mine.”
- Asks simple questions like “What’s that?” or “Where’s mommy?”
- Enjoys listening to and imitating simple songs and rhymes.
18-21 Months:
- Vocabulary continues to grow, with 100 words or more.
- Starts to use two-word phrases more consistently.
- Uses plurals (e.g., “dogs”), possessives (e.g., “mommy’s toy”), and verb forms (e.g., “running”).
- Begins to use words to express emotions and desires.
- Names familiar body parts when asked.
21-24 Months:
- Vocabulary continues to expand rapidly, with 200 words or more.
- Uses three- to four-word sentences.
- Begins to use more complex sentence structures.
- Tells simple stories or recounts events.
- Enjoys conversational turn-taking and imitates longer sentences.
Other Communication Milestones:
- Engages in parallel play with other children.
- Understands and follows simple directions and routines.
- Points to and names familiar objects in pictures or books.
- Uses words to express needs, like hunger or tiredness.
- Begins to engage in imaginative play, such as pretending to feed a doll.
13-15 Months:
- Gross Motor Skills:
- Begins to walk independently, taking several steps.
- May start to climb stairs with assistance.
- Kicks a ball or attempts to throw a ball.
- Fine Motor Skills:
- Feeds themselves with fingers and may start using a spoon.
- Starts to stack a few small blocks.
- Begins to use a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) more effectively.
15-18 Months:
- Gross Motor Skills:
- Walks more confidently and with better balance.
- Climbs onto low furniture and may attempt to jump.
- Pushes or pulls toys while walking.
- Fine Motor Skills:
- Feeds themselves with a spoon more skillfully.
- May begin to turn pages of a board book.
- Enjoys scribbling with crayons or markers.
18-21 Months:
- Gross Motor Skills:
- Runs with greater control.
- Climbs up and down stairs independently with alternating feet.
- Kicks a ball with more coordination.
- Fine Motor Skills:
- Builds towers with multiple blocks.
- Turns knobs, opens doors, and explores objects with more precision.
- Begins to use utensils more effectively.
21-24 Months:
- Gross Motor Skills:
- Jumps off low surfaces with both feet.
- Rides a tricycle with assistance.
- Climbs playground equipment like slides and swings.
- Fine Motor Skills:
- Shows improved hand-eye coordination in activities like threading beads.
- Copies simple lines or shapes when drawing.
- Dresses and undresses with some assistance.
Other Physical Development Milestones:
- Increases hand and finger strength, allowing for better manipulation of objects.
- Begins to imitate simple dance moves or actions.
- Shows interest in exploring different textures and materials through touch and play.
- Develops a more stable gait and posture while walking and running.
13-15 Months:
- Fine Motor Skills:
- Begins to use a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) effectively to pick up small objects.
- Enjoys activities that involve manipulating small objects like building blocks or puzzles.
- May attempt to turn pages of a board book.
- Self-Care Skills:
- Shows interest in self-feeding and may use a spoon with assistance.
- May begin to imitate brushing teeth or hair.
- Begins to show interest in dressing and undressing, with assistance.
15-18 Months:
- Fine Motor Skills:
- Demonstrates improved hand-eye coordination in activities like stacking blocks.
- Enjoys simple art activities like finger painting or using crayons.
- Starts to turn knobs, open doors, and explore objects with more precision.
- Self-Care Skills:
- Becomes more independent in self-feeding with a spoon and may attempt to use a fork.
- Shows increased interest in washing hands and may try to assist.
- May begin to take off simple clothing items like hats or shoes.
18-21 Months:
- Fine Motor Skills:
- Builds more complex structures with blocks and other building materials.
- Begins to use utensils for self-feeding with increasing skill.
- Enjoys exploring and manipulating sensory materials like playdough.
- Self-Care Skills:
- Starts to show interest in toilet training, although full independence may not be achieved until later.
- Begins to learn basic hygiene routines like washing face and hands independently.
- May attempt to put on simple clothing items with assistance.
21-24 Months:
- Fine Motor Skills:
- Copies simple lines or shapes when drawing or coloring.
- Shows improved finger strength and dexterity for activities like buttoning and zipping.
- May be able to use scissors with supervision and safety scissors.
- Self-Care Skills:
- Continues to make progress in toilet training and may use a potty chair or toilet.
- Demonstrates increased independence in dressing and undressing.
- Begins to learn self-care routines like brushing teeth more effectively.
Other Occupational Development Milestones:
- Begins to show an interest in pretend play, such as feeding a doll or imitating household tasks.
- Explores and interacts with a wider variety of textures and materials.
- Becomes more independent in simple tasks like picking up toys and putting them away.
These therapy milestones are general guidelines, and children develop at their own pace. If you have concerns about your child’s development, please reach out to the clinic to schedule an evaluation. Early intervention can be beneficial in addressing any concerns.