Your Toddler’s Development – 12 to 18 months

This is such an exciting time as your child starts to take their first steps and say their first words! From 12 to 18 months your child’s vocabulary will rapidly increase and by 18 months you may even be having some simple conversations together. First words are usually difficult to understand and baby sign language can be a great tool to use (as well as spoken words) to help your child communicate before their words are clear. Learn baby sign language by clicking here.

Find out a little more about how your toddler’s communication skills are developing by exploring the information below.

Listening & Understanding

Your child understands 50 words (or more) - these will most likely be common objects, simple body parts and familiar clothes.

They can answer simple questions and follow familiar instructions - although they are still easily distracted!

They understand the difference in your tone when you ask a question or make a statement and will start to respond accordingly.

Your child knows what it means when you say no or don’t - however they will still have trouble controlling their impulses and may not always follow your instruction!

Communicating

Your child will be using real words instead of babble - don’t worry if these words are unclear.

They try to imitate new words and sounds every day.

As your child learns new words they will often over-generalise. This happens as your child learns a new word and then applies it to all objects that are similar. For example they may call all animals with four legs ‘dog’.

Your child will draw your attention to objects by pointing, saying ‘there’ or ‘what’s that?’