The second year of your child’s life is full of firsts. One month there are wobbly steps across the living room, and a few months later your toddler is running ahead of you, saying “more milk” and refusing the shirt you picked. It is a joyful stage, and it brings new questions: “Should he be talking more by now?” “Why won’t she hold my hand any more?”

This guide gives you a calm, simple picture of what most toddlers do at around 15 months, 18 months and 2 years, and how everyday play helps. If you are looking for a place for your child at this age, our toddler programme page explains how we care for this age group, and you can look back at the stage before in baby milestones from 6 to 12 months.

Our lists come from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklists. The CDC describes milestones as things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age, so they show a typical picture rather than a deadline for every child.

Around 15 months: first steps, pointing and first words

According to the CDC checklist for 15 months, most toddlers:

  • Take a few steps on their own and use their fingers to feed themselves some food.
  • Try to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada”, like “ba” for ball.
  • Look at a familiar object when you name it, and point to ask for something or to get help.
  • Give you a toy when you hold out your hand and say “Give me the toy.”
  • Copy other children while playing, clap when excited and show you affection with hugs, cuddles or kisses.
  • Try to use things the right way, like a cup or a book, and stack at least two small objects.

How play helps: name everything you see together: “That’s the bus. There’s the cat.” Give your toddler a sturdy box to push along while walking, and leave plenty of time to move at their own speed.

Around 18 months: steady walking and copying everything

The CDC checklist for 18 months says most toddlers:

  • Walk without holding on to anyone or anything, and climb on and off a couch or chair without help.
  • Try to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”.
  • Follow a one-step direction without any gesture, like giving you the toy when you say “Give it to me.”
  • Move away from you, but look back to make sure you are close by, and point to show you something interesting.
  • Copy you doing chores, like sweeping, and play with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car.
  • Scribble, drink from a cup without a lid (with some spills) and try to use a spoon.

How play helps: tape down a large sheet of paper, offer chunky crayons and let your toddler scribble freely.

Around 2 years: running, kicking and two words together

By 2 years, the CDC checklist says most children:

  • Run, kick a ball, walk (not climb) up a few stairs with or without help, and eat with a spoon.
  • Say at least two words together, like “More milk.”
  • Point to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”, and point to at least two body parts.
  • Use more gestures than waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes.
  • Notice when others are hurt or upset, and look at your face to see how to react in a new situation.
  • Hold something in one hand while using the other, like taking a lid off a container, and play with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate.

How play helps: read a picture book together every day and ask “Where’s the…?” Head outside to run and kick a ball now that the weather is cooler; our outdoor play ideas for toddlers in Sharjah are easy to try.

How Balloon Nursery supports toddlers

  • We welcome children from 45 days old up to 4 years, so your child can keep growing with us, stage by stage.
  • We follow the British EYFS curriculum with hands-on, Montessori-style learning, and children hear Arabic and English every day.
  • We are open every day from 6:30am to 7:30pm, with early drop-off from 6:00am on request. A bus service is available.
  • We are licensed by SPEA (Sharjah Private Education Authority) and have been caring for children in Sharjah for over 20 years.

To picture your child’s day with us, read your 1-year-old at nursery and your 2-year-old at nursery. Our early years page shows how this stage leads into the years ahead.

When to talk to your paediatrician

The CDC advises talking to your child’s doctor if your child is not meeting one or more milestones for their age, has lost skills they once had, or if you have any other concern, and asking about developmental screening. An early conversation is not a diagnosis; it is simply a way to put your mind at rest or get help early. This guide is general information and does not replace medical advice.

Every child develops at their own pace.

Would you like to see our toddler room? Book a visit or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 342 8582.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a toddler walk on their own?

According to the CDC, most children take a few steps on their own by about 15 months and walk without holding on to anything by about 18 months. If you are worried about your child’s walking, talk to your paediatrician.

How many words should a 2-year-old say?

The CDC does not give a word count for age 2. It says most children try to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada” by 18 months, and say at least two words together, like “More milk”, by 2 years.

Why does my toddler walk away and then look back at me?

This is a normal CDC milestone at around 18 months: your child moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by.

What if my child has lost a skill they used to have?

The CDC advises acting early. Talk with your child’s doctor, share your concerns and ask about developmental screening.

Can my child start nursery between 1 and 2 years?

Yes. Balloon Nursery welcomes children from 45 days old up to 4 years and is open every day from 6:30am to 7:30pm.