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Your amazing baby at 18 months: walking, talking and scribbling

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Young girl drinking from cup

By the end of 18 months, your baby will reach these important developmental milestones:

  • Hands things to other people to play with
  • May have temper tantrums
  • May be afraid of strangers
  • Shows affection to familiar people
  • Plays pretend
  • Gets clingy in new situations
  • Explores alone, but with parents or caregiver close by
  • Says several single words
  • Says and shakes head "no"
  • Knows the uses for some things, like phones, brushes and spoons
  • Points to a body part
  • Scribbles
  • Follows easy verbal commands, like "sit"
  • Walks alone
  • Pulls toys while walking
  • Can help undress self
  • Drinks from a cup and eats with a spoon

Call your doctor if your baby:

  • Doesn't walk
  • Doesn't know what familiar things are for
  • Doesn't point to things to show others
  • Doesn't learn new words (should know at least six words)
  • Doesn't notice or care if a caregiver leaves or returns
  • Loses a skill he once had

If you don't have a doctor or would like a free developmental screening, call HomeSafe at 561-383-9800 or 2-1-1 and ask for Help Me Grow.

SOURCE:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (18 month milestones)

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