15-Month Milestones
What many toddlers do by 15 months — and how caregivers can support development
By 15 months, many toddlers are moving more confidently, using gestures and words more intentionally, and beginning to explore the world with growing independence. Development at this age reflects a shift from early baby skills toward more purposeful movement, communication, and problem-solving — all supported by everyday interaction and play.
Note: These milestone descriptions reflect what most toddlers (about 75% or more) are expected to demonstrate by 15 months of age.
Social & Emotional Milestones
By 15 months, many toddlers:
Copy other children while playing, such as taking toys out of a container when another child does
Show you an object they like, often to share an interest or enjoyment
Clap when excited
Everyday context:
These behaviors show growing social awareness and shared attention. Your toddler is learning how to engage with others — not just alongside them, but with them.
Language & Communication Milestones
At this age, many toddlers:
Try to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada”, such as “ba” for ball or “da” for dog
Look at a familiar object when you name it
What this looks like:
Your toddler may understand far more words than they can say. Looking at the correct object when named shows early language comprehension is developing.
Cognitive (Thinking & Learning) Milestones
By 15 months, many toddlers:
Follow directions given with both a gesture and words, such as pointing and saying “give me the toy”
Hug a doll or stuffed animal, showing early pretend play
Everyday example:
When your toddler responds to simple requests or pretends to care for a toy, they’re practicing memory, understanding, and early symbolic thinking.
Movement & Physical Development Milestones
At 15 months, many toddlers:
Take a few steps on their own
Use fingers to feed themselves
Everyday context:
Walking, early running attempts, and self-feeding rely on balance, coordination, and strength built through earlier crawling, standing, and cruising.
How You Can Support Your Baby’s Development
At fifteen months, toddlers are learning through active movement, imitation, and repetition. Many are walking, climbing, pointing, using words, and testing how objects and people respond to their actions. Development at this age is strengthened by chances to move freely, explore safely, hear language paired with actions, and practice early problem-solving through play. Everyday experiences — like helping with simple tasks, playing with others, and hearing words repeated in context — support growing independence and communication.
You can support your toddler’s development by:
Talking with your toddler often and naming objects, actions, and people. Hearing language during real activities helps connect words to meaning.
Responding to your toddler’s words, sounds, and gestures. Acknowledging communication attempts encourages continued use of language and interaction.
Encouraging pretend play, such as hugging a doll, feeding a stuffed animal, or pretending to talk on a phone. Pretend play supports thinking, language, and social development.
Giving simple directions paired with gestures, like pointing and saying, “Bring me the ball.” This helps toddlers connect words with actions.
Letting your toddler move and explore safely, including walking, climbing, and carrying toys. Movement supports coordination, confidence, and problem-solving.
Providing opportunities for self-feeding with fingers and utensils while supervised. This supports independence and fine motor skills.
Playing alongside your toddler and copying their actions during play. Imitation strengthens social connections and learning.
Reading books together every day. Let your toddler point to pictures, turn pages, or name familiar objects.
Singing songs and using simple hand motions, such as clapping or waving. Songs support language rhythm, memory, and coordination.
Offering a variety of safe toys that encourage stacking, filling, dumping, pushing, or pulling. These activities support motor planning and problem-solving.
Helping your toddler practice calming, such as holding, rocking, or offering comfort when upset. Make space for settling and comfort during upset moments. Learning to settle with support builds emotional regulation.
Keeping screen time limited. Toddlers learn best through direct interaction, play, and communication with people.
These activities don’t need to be structured or scheduled. Small, repeated interactions throughout the day create an environment where skills can develop naturally.
Printable Tools & Next Steps
Download or view a checklist you can use during everyday routines to track which milestones your baby is demonstrating.
Bring your checklist to well-child visits and use it to support conversations with your pediatric healthcare provider.
Test Your Knowledge
A quick check — or a fast refresher if you’re short on time
1. Social - When a toddler copies another child’s actions during play, this shows growth in:
A. Physical strength only
B. Social awareness and learning through imitation
C. Independent play skills only
-
B. Social awareness and learning through imitation
2. Language – If your toddler looks at the correct object when you name it, this demonstrates:
A. Early language understanding
B. Memorization without meaning
C. Vision skills only
-
A. Early language understanding
3. Cognitive – Following a simple direction with a gesture helps build:
A. Balance and strength
B. Understanding, attention, and memory
C. Emotional regulation only
-
B. Understanding, attention, and memory
4. Movement – Using fingers to feed themselves supports:
A. Independence and fine motor coordination
B. Walking endurance
C. Language development only
-
A. Independence and fine motor coordination
Please note that…
This information is intended to support learning and awareness, not to replace guidance from a healthcare or early childhood professional.