Child 1–2 years
15 Month Old
Around fifteen months words, gestures and imitation often start working together, and copying other people becomes a favourite way of learning.
Movement and daily skills
- Taking a few steps independently is something many children do around fifteen months, and using fingers to feed themselves some foods often appears around now too.
- Steadiness usually arrives after the first steps, not with them.
Language and thinking
- One or two words beyond familiar family names may be tried around this age, and a familiar object may be looked at when it is named.
- A direction given together with a gesture — "give me the ball" while holding out a hand — may be followed.
Social and emotional development
- Copying another child during play, showing affection, and showing you an object they like are all common around fifteen months.
- Being shown something usually works better as an invitation than as a question.
Try together
Sit where another child is playing and simply stay nearby. Copying happens more readily when nobody is asked to join in.
What can we do today?
37 activity ideas suit this age — most take about five minutes and need nothing you do not already have.
- The Same Song Each Time
- Water Falling
- Name What You See
What can we prepare?
ParentSide has 60 recipes for 12–18 months, each with its texture, portion and preparation notes.
Professional support
Services ParentSide defines for this stage. Each page explains what the service covers and which professionals are approved to provide it.
Sources and updates
This provides general developmental information and is not a developmental assessment. Speak with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your child's development.