toddler development
toddler development milestones: 18-24 months
what to expect from your 18-24 month old—and how to support their development.
language development
- 50-200+ words by 24 months
- starting to combine words ("more milk")
- understands much more than they can say
- loves songs and rhymes
motor skills
- walking, running, climbing
- stacking blocks, turning pages
- starting to use utensils
- dancing to music
social development
- parallel play (playing near other kids)
- starting to show empathy
- big emotions, limited regulation
- loves routines and predictability
how music supports this stage
music supports language, motor skills, and emotional regulation—all critical at this age.