The benefits of milk
Child Development: 1–2 Years Old
—How Well Can They Walk, Talk, Play, and Take Care of Themselves ?
Child development from ages 1 to 2 is a period when parents will notice clear changes in their child—in motor skills, language and communication, play, and self-care. By around age 1, most children begin to pull themselves up to stand, walk while holding onto something, use words to refer to caregivers , such as “Mom” or “Dad, ” and engage in simple interactive games with adults, such as clapping games where the adult and child clap their hands or make simple gestures in rhythm with each other. By age 2, most children have progressed to running, kicking a ball, saying at least two words in a row, using more than one toy at a time, and using a spoon to eat [1]
Age-appropriate development refers to the skills or behaviors that most children typically exhibit at each stage of development. This serves as a guide for parents to help monitor their child’s learning and development [1,2]. Since each child may learn different skills at different paces, it is important to observe overall development rather than focusing on any single skill.
Child Development: Ages 1–2—What Should Parents Look For?
A child’s development between the ages of 1 and 2 is interconnected in many ways. Therefore, parents should look beyond questions like “Can my child walk yet?” or “How many words can my child say?” and instead focus on these five key areas
- Motor Skills: Standing, walking, running, balancing, and using hands and fingers to pick up and hold objects
- Language and Communication: Understanding spoken language, following simple instructions, and communicating through pointing, gestures, sounds, or speech
- Play and Learning (Cognitive and Play Skills): Imitation, exploration, problem-solving, and a wider variety of play activities
- Social and Emotional Skills: Showing interest in those around them , engaging in interactive play with adults, and pointing to draw others’ attention to what the child is interested in
- Self-Help Skills: Particip ating in daily activities such as feeding oneself, drinking from a cup, or helping with getting dressed
What should a child be able to do each month between 12 and 24 months of age?
Child development is a continuous process. The developmental milestones chart for children aged 12–24 months summarizes examples of key skills that most children typically master at each age, based on the developmental guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [1]
When assessing your child’s development, what else should you look for besides “Can your child do this yet?”
From a behavioral analyst’s perspective, observing whether a child can perform a skill is only part of the picture. Parents should also note whether the child can perform the skill independently or still needs an adult to prompt or assist them, and whether the child can apply that skill in daily life.
An example of observing how children apply their skills in real life: Two children may both be able to say the word “milk,” but one says it only when an adult tells them to, while the other sees the milk and says “milk” to ask for it on their own. Although both children can say the same word, their ability to apply the skill in real life differs.
When observing your child’s development, parents can use these three questions
- Is your child showing signs of developing these skills yet?
- Can the child do it on their own, or do they still need someone to tell them what to do or help them?
- Can children apply the skills they are learning to their daily lives?
When should parents take their child to see a developmental specialist?
Age-appropriate developmental checklists are designed to help monitor development and are not intended for diagnosis. If you have concerns about your child’s development—such as if key age-appropriate skills have not yet emerged, or especially if your child has lost skills they previously had—you should consult a pediatrician or a developmental specialist to discuss screening or further evaluation. There is no need to wait until multiple concerns arise at the same time [1,2]
Regarding motor development, the Department of Public Health, Ministry of Public Health, recommends that if a child is 18 months old and still cannot walk on their own, they should be taken to a public health facility for a developmental assessment [4]
, Ph.D., Khotawanich
Written by:
, M.Ed., Special Education, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
, Ph.D., Khotawanich
M.Ed., Special Education,
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA),
Written by:
, Ph.D., Khotawanich
, M.Ed., Special Education, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
reference
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Learn the Signs. Act Early.: Developmental Milestones. Updated 2026.
- Zubler JM, Wiggins LD, Macias MM, et al. Evidence-Informed Milestones for Developmental Surveillance Tools. Pediatrics. 2022;149(3):e2021052138. doi:10.1542/peds.2021-052138.
- Yogman M, Garner A, Hutchinson J, Hirsh-Pasek K, Golinkoff RM. The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children. Pediatrics. 2018;142(3):e20182058.
- Department of Public Health, Ministry of Public Health. The Department of Public Health recommends age-appropriate child development in “sitting, standing, and walking,” noting that baby walkers do not help children learn to walk faster. February 12, 2569.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most children around 1 year old begin to pull themselves up to stand, walk while holding onto furniture, pick up small objects with their thumb and index finger, use words to refer to their caregivers, such as “Mom” or “Dad,” wave goodbye, and begin to understand what adults mean when they say “no” [1]
By the time a child is about 1 year and 6 months old (18 months), most children can walk on their own, try to say at least three words, follow simple one-step instructions, point to share things that interest them, and begin to participate in daily routines, such as trying to use a spoon or drink from an open cup [1]
Children aged 1–2 do not need to set aside specific time each day for “structured learning” activities. Children can learn through play and everyday routines, such as eating, getting dressed, or reading books. Positive interactions with adults during play and daily routines are key opportunities that support children’s learning and development [3]
Foremost milk tasteless
Made from 100% real fresh cow's milk.
High natural calcium, perfect for kids and everyone in the family.
High in natural calcium with over 50% reduced fat.
