Milestones · 1–3 years

Words, walking and wanting

This is the age parents ask about most. Vocabulary takes off, little bodies get busy, and frustration often shows up when a child can't yet say what they mean.

No referral needed to chat · Most evaluations booked within a week

Woman and toddler playing with toy food in a colorful classroom setting with shelving and toys in background

Age 1 to 3

What most toddlers can do

Toddler skills arrive in bursts: a child can seem stuck for weeks and then do three new things in a day. These are the skills our therapists watch for.

Speech Therapy

How children understand, use, and share language with others

13–18 months

Follows simple directions, like "give me the ball" or "show me your nose"
Points to ask for things, show you something, or get information
Shakes head "no" and nods "yes"
Understands and uses words for familiar people, objects and some actions
Points to at least one body part when asked

19–24 months

Uses and understands at least 50 words for food, toys, animals and body parts (some may not sound clear yet, like "du" for shoe)
Puts two or more words together, like "more juice" or "go outside"
Follows two-step directions, like "get your cup and bring it to me"
Uses words like "me," "mine" and "help"

2–3 years

Combines words often, and may sometimes repeat a word or phrase while getting started
Asks "why" and "how" questions
Says their own name when asked
Uses plurals like "toys" and action words like "running"
Says p, b, m, h, w, d and n clearly
Speech is getting clearer, though people outside the family may not understand everything yet

About Speech Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Fine motor, sensory, self-care and play skills for everyday life

1–2 years

Uses a spoon; holds a cup
Scribbles
Takes off socks and shoes
Sorts shapes
Puts small items into containers

2–3 years

Snips with scissors
Imitates horizontal, vertical lines, and circular marks
Able to remove elastic-waist pants
Builds at least a 6-block tower
Eats all food textures
Unscrews lids

About Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Big movement, strength, balance and coordination

12–15 months

Walks independently
Squats to floor and returns to stand
Throws a ball with an overhand release

15–24 months

Run with a wide base of support
Walks up and down stairs with a hand held
Kicks a ball
Jumps with both feet

2–3 years

Walks up stairs alternating feet without support
Hops on one foot
Stands on one foot momentarily
Pedals a tricycle
Catches a large ball with arms extended

About Physical Therapy

Feeding Therapy

Chewing, swallowing, textures and calmer mealtimes

12–18 months

Feeds themselves with fingers, then a spoon
Drinks from a sippy cup, a straw and an open cup with some spills
Moves food around the mouth and handles mixed textures — a sandwich, noodle soup
Gradually accepts a wider range of colours, textures and temperatures

18–24 months

Chews on both sides of the mouth and swallows without food falling out
Drinks from a small open cup with very few spills
Uses a spoon with less spilling, and still uses fingers a lot
Handles lumps, mixed textures and firmer foods without gagging

2–3 years

Uses a fork and spoon, though often still with fingers
Chews tougher foods without gagging or choking
Tries and accepts new foods more readily than in the first year
Sits at the table through most of a family meal

About Feeding Therapy

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Where the tongue, lips and jaw rest and how they move

Under 4

Thumb sucking, finger sucking and pacifier use are normal at this age
Mouth breathing during a cold, or while teething, is expected
The tongue rests forward in the mouth in infancy and settles back over the first years
This is the age we watch rather than treat — habits that stop on their own need nothing
If your dentist or pediatrician raises a concern early, we're happy to talk it through

About Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

The most-asked question we get

“She understands everything, she just doesn't talk.” Understanding and speaking are two different skills, and they don't always develop together. If your toddler follows directions easily but isn't using words yet; that is worth a conversation. Not a reason to panic.

The wait-and-see window

You will hear “they'll grow out of it.” That is often true, but when it isn't, the months spent waiting are months of practice a child doesn't get back. Contacting us costs you nothing and settles the question.

These are general guidelines, not a diagnosis. Toddlers learn on a wide range of timelines: a child who is a little behind on one skill is often right on track.

Communication milestones are adapted from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Each range shows when about 3 out of 4 children have the skill, so it’s normal for some children to reach it a little later. Look at the age ranges just before and after your child’s age too.

Worth a closer look

Trusting your gut is never overreacting.

Between ages 1 and 3, these are the patterns our therapists would want to hear about. None of them mean something is wrong. They just mean it's a good time to ask.

Getting in touch is exactly that: a conversation about what you're noticing. You don't need a referral to get started talking. have it.

If any of this sounds familiar, ask us about it.

Signs to mention at 1–3 years

Not saying any words by 18 months
Not using about 50 words, or not combining two words, by age 2
Not pointing, waving, or using gestures to communicate
Not following simple directions by 18 months
Very limited diet, gagging, or refusing most textures
Melts down far more than peers at ordinary sounds, touch or changes

Who helps at this age

Speech therapy Occupational therapy Feeding therapy

Is your child a different age?

Milestones at every age

Infants

0–12 months

First sounds, first rolls

View milestones

Toddlers

1–3 years

First words take off

You are here

Preschoolers

3–5 years

Being understood by others

View milestones

School age

5–13 years

Skills that carry into class

View milestones

See all ages on one page

Most evaluations booked within a week

Their next milestone is closer than you think.

Call, text or send us a message and you'll talk with our office manager about what you're seeing and what support would look like, before anything is scheduled.