What most babies do at 18 months

Social and Emotional

Copies adults and friends

Shows affection for friends without prompting

Takes turns in games

Shows concern for crying friend

Understands the idea of "mine" and "his" or "hers"

Shows a wide range of emotions

Separates easily from mom and dad

May get upset with major changes in routine

Dresses and undresses self

Language/Communication

Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps

Can name most familiar things

Understands words like "in,” “on,” and “under”

Says first name, age, and sex

Names a friend

Says words like "I,” “me,” “we,” and “you” and some plurals (cars, dogs, cats)

Talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time

Carries on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts

Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people

Does puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces

Understands what "two" means"

Copies a circle with pencil or crayon

Turns book pages one at a time

Builds towers of more than 6 blocks

Screws and unscrews jar lids or turns door handle

Movement/Physical Development

Climbs well

Runs easily

Pedals a tricycle (3-wheel bike)

Walks up and down stairs, one foot on each step