Growth

12 months old

• Average girl weighs 9.5 kg; average boy weighs 10.2 kg.



• Average girl is 74 cm tall; average boy is 76 cm tall.
  

18 months old

• Average girl weighs 10.7 kg; average boy weighs 11.1 kg.
  
  
• Average girl is 80 cm tall; average boy is 80.5 cm tall.

Visions

12 months old

• Recognizes familiar people at a distance of 6 meters.
  
  

• Frequently inspects objects and people closely.

18 months old

• Can fix eyes on a rolling ball 3 meters away.
  
  
• Can see objects at a distance.

Teeth

12 months old

• Child likely has 8 teeth; may be working on her first molars.

18 months old

• First molars have erupted; she likely has 16 teeth.

Sleep

12 months old

• Sleeps 13.75 hours a day-on average 11.5 hours at night; 2.25 hours during the day.

18 months old

• Sleeps 13.5 hours a day-on average 11.5 hours at night; during the day 2-hours.

Feeding Skills

12 months old

• Holds spoon but needs help to use it.
  
  
• Can use thumb and index finger to pick up small pieces of food.
  
  
• Beginning to drink from a cup.
  

18 months old

• Raises and holds cup with 2 hands.

• Drinks from a cup without spilling.
  
  
• Can use a spoon or fork (when the child wants to).

Movement Skills

12 months old

• Gets self to sitting position and sits well for a long time.
  
  
• Pulls self up to stand.
  
  
• May stand alone without support.
  
  
• May crawl or creep on hands and knees.
  
  
• Walks holding on to furniture; may walk independently.

18 months old

• Walks with feet slightly apart and may even run.
  
  
• Can push or pull large objects.
  
  
• Carries toys or other objects while walking.
  
  
• Climbs onto furniture, rotates body, and sits down.
  
  
• Creeps backwards down the stairs.

Hand and Finger Skills

12 months old

• Uses finger to point at objects.
  
  
• Picks up objects using thumb and index finger.
  
  
• Bangs two objects together.
  
  
• Can put blocks into and take them out of a small box.
  
  
• Drops objects voluntarily.

18 months old

• Scribbles with a crayon.
  
  
• Can build a tower of 3 blocks.
  
  
• Picks up very small objects.
  
  
• Removes shoes, socks, hat.
  
  
• Is more likely to explore objects with hands instead of mouth.

Communication

12 months old

• Babbles a lot, using varying tones and intensity.
  
  
• Recognizes name and turns toward person speaking it.
  
  
• Tries to imitate words.
  
  
• Follows simple directions, such as "come to mommy".
  
  
• May say "mama" and "dada".

18 months old

• Says 6-20 recognizable words.
  
  
• Says own name.
  
  
• Uses some active verbs (such as go or jump).
  
  
• Uses some direction words (such as up, down, in, out).
  
  
• May echo or join in when words or rhymes are spoken directly to the child.
  
  
• "Talks" to self.

Mental Skills

12 months old

• Finds hidden objects easily.
  
  
• May point to 2 or 3 body parts when hears their names.
  
  
• Thoroughly explores objects by shaking, throwing, banging.

18 months old

• Imitates familiar actions such as reading a book and answering the phone.
  
  
• Says her own name.
  
  
• Remembers where hidden objects are, even long after they are out of sight.
  

Social and Emotional Skills

12 months old

• Is affectionate toward familiar people.
  
  
• May be shy or anxious with strangers.
  
  
• Shows preferences for certain people or toys.
  
  
• Makes sounds or repeats gestures for attention.

18 months old

• Amuses himself or herself, but usually prefers to be near an adult.
  
  
• May be prone to episodes of separation anxiety.
  
  
• Alternates between desire for independence and dependence.
  
  
• Frequently says "no" and may have outbursts when things don;t go the child's way.