Child 1–2 years
21 Month Old
Movement is becoming more coordinated for some children, and two familiar words may start arriving in the same breath.
Movement and daily skills
- Early running becomes smoother for some children around now, while others are still working on a steady walk. Both are ordinary.
- Kicking a still ball, or stepping onto a low surface with a hand held, may be attempted.
Language and thinking
- A gesture plus a word, or two familiar words together, may begin to appear. It is not something to wait for on a particular month.
- Finding a familiar thing in a picture is easier when nobody is testing whether it can be found.
Social and emotional development
- Pretend play may take on more steps — filling a cup, then offering it, then wiping up.
- Watching another child closely, without joining in, is real participation at this age.
Try together
Put a soft ball on the floor and let them kick or push it however they manage. Keep it still rather than passing it.
What can we do today?
43 activity ideas suit this age — most take about five minutes and need nothing you do not already have.
- Name What You See
- Your Turn
- Who Is That?
What can we prepare?
ParentSide has 12 recipes for 19–24 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.