Information:

Physical and motor skill markers:

• Able to turn a door knob
• Can browse through a book one page at a time
• Can build a tower of 6 to 7 cubes
• Can kick ball without losing balance
• Can pick up objects while standing, without losing balance (often occurs by 15 months, and would be cause for concern if you don't see it by 2 years)
• Can run with better coordination, although the stance may remain wide
• Height is roughly half the total height the child will attain as an adult
• May be psychologically ready for toilet training
• Should have the first 16 teeth (can be a wide variation of the actual number of teeth)

Sensory and cognitive markers:

• Able to put on simple clothes unassisted (frequently more adept at removing clothes than putting them on)
• Able to communicate needs such as thirst, hunger, need to use the restroom
• Can organize phrases of 2 to 3 words
• Increased attention span
• Vision fully developed
• Vocabulary has increased to about 50 to 300 words (healthy children demonstrate wide variations)

Play recommendations:

• Allow the child to help around the house and participate in the daily responsibilities of the family.
• Encourage and provide the necessary space for physical activity.
• Encourage play that involves building and creativity.
• Provide safe replicas of adult tools and equipment.
• Read to the child.
• Try to avoid watching television at this age (recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics).
• Parents should control both the content and quantity of television viewing. Limit television viewing to fewer than 3 hours per day, and preferably 1 hour or less. Avoid programming with violent content. Redirect the child to reading or play activities.
• Control the type of games played.