18 months

Just because your child is not performing everything at the selected times does not mean there is something wrong. Some children take a little bit longer to be able to do things on their own. Your child requires stimulation and opportunity to learn and develop. For guidance on age appropriate activities please look at play and ideas.

Child developmental stages

18 months

• I can walk by myself
• I like to walk and play outside.
• I can build towers with 2-3 blocks.
• I like to scribble with crayons.
• I enjoy nursery rhymes and try to join in.
• I can point to my body parts.
• I enjoy looking at picture books.
• I like to help with undressing.
• I understand when you say – “Feed the doll” or “brush your hair “
• I love to feed myself –I am still messy.

If you are concerned about how your child is doing any of the above activities please ask your health visitor for advice and guidance.

Areas for concern at 18 months

The guide below indicates when you should seek further advice if your child is not making progress towards their age specific targets. Please seek further advice from your health visitor or GP.

If your child –

• Is not walking independently.
• Is not interested in playing with toys
• Does not look around to see where sounds are coming from
• Does not say words
• Is not interested in what is going on around them.
• Does not wave bye-bye

Play ideas

A better start in life: Play ideas 12 to 24 months
Produced by the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Department, Royal Free London.