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18 Month Online Milestone Checklist

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18 month old in a swing

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of 18 months by completing the checklist below. Share it with your child’s doctor, teacher, and other providers, and be sure to talk about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

If your child was born more than 3 weeks prematurely, use his/her corrected ageexternal iconexternal icon. If your child’s age falls between 2 checklist ages, use the checklist for the younger age.

Checking children’s development regularly is important. CDC’s free Milestone Tracker app is also available to complete the checklists, with reminders and helpful tips on the go!  Available on the AppStoreexternal icon and GooglePlayexternal icon.

Your Child at 18 Months

Milestones matter! Check the milestones your child has reached by 18 months by completing the checklist below.

*These fields are required.


CDC does not collect or share any personal information that can be used to identify you or your child.

What Most Babies Do by this Age:

Social/Emotional

Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by




Points to show you something interesting




Puts hands out for you to wash them




Looks at a few pages in a book with you




Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot




Language/Communication

Tries to say three or more words besides mama or dada




Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, Give it to me.




Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom




Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car




Movement/Physical Development

Walks without holding on to anyone or anything




Scribbles




Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes




Feeds himself with his fingers




Tries to use a spoon




Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help




Selected “not sure”? Watch for these milestones over the next week or two. Try some things with your child that gives him/her the chance to show the milestone. If you’re still not seeing the milestone, see the steps below.

Selected “not yet” or have other concerns or questions about your child’s development? Talk with your child’s doctor, teacher and/or another trusted provider. Share the checklist and any questions or concerns you might have. Ask about developmental screening. It’s recommended for all children. If you, the doctor, teacher, or other provider is still concerned after screening, ask to be connected with (1) a specialist who can learn more about your child AND (2) with services and other supports that may help. Visit www.cdc.gov/Concerned for more information.


– Share the checklist with your child’s healthcare provider, early educator, WIC Clinic, or other care providers by FORWARDING the email you receive.
– Be sure to add your child’s name and birthdate (if needed) when forwarding the checklist so your provider can identify it as your child’s.