15-month-old milestones: the CDC checklist

Wording from the CDC.

Most children (75 in 100) do these things by 15 months; mark what your child does and take the list to your child’s doctor.

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Social/Emotional Milestones

Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does
Shows you an object she likes
Claps when excited
Hugs stuffed doll or other toy
Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you)

Language/Communication Milestones

Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog
Looks at a familiar object when you name it
Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.”
Points to ask for something or to get help

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book
Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Takes a few steps on his own
Uses fingers to feed herself some food

Other important things to share with the doctor

CDC suggests these questions; the wording is CDC’s.

  1. What are some things you and your child do together?
  2. What are some things your child likes to do?
  3. Is there anything your child does or does not do that concerns you?
  4. Has your child lost any skills he/she once had?
  5. Does your child have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What to ask the doctor

Talk with your child’s doctor. You know your child best. If you have a concern, don’t wait for the next visit: call your child’s doctor, share it, and ask about developmental screening.

Screenings at checkups. Doctors are advised to screen every child’s development with a standard questionnaire at the 9-, 18- and 30-month visits, and to screen for autism at the 18- and 24-month visits. You can ask for a screening at any visit.

If your child loses a skill. If your child stops doing something they used to do, at any age, call the doctor. Losing a skill is always worth a call.

You don’t need a referral. If your child is under 3, you can contact your state’s early intervention program yourself. From age 3, contact your local public school district, even if your child doesn’t go there. Find early intervention (CDC)

If you have concerns, talk to your child's doctor.

Sources: Zubler et al. 2022, Pediatrics 149(3) (the 2022 checklists); Lipkin and Macias 2020, Pediatrics 145(1) (the screening schedule); CDC’s early intervention pages.

Act early

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

If you or the doctor are still concerned

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child more; and
  • Call your state or territory's early intervention program to find out if your child can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI.

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” page for this age.

Questions parents ask at 15 months

Answered from CDC’s 2022 checklists, quoting CDC’s wording exactly.

How many words should a 15-month-old say?

CDC’s 15-month list says “Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada,” like “ba” for ball or “da” for dog”. At 18 months it says “Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada””, and at 2 years “Says at least two words together, like “More milk.””. The same Language/Communication list at 15 months includes “Points to ask for something or to get help”. CDC’s advice is to act early: if you have a concern, don’t wait, and talk with your child’s doctor.

My 15-month-old isn’t walking yet. What does CDC list?

CDC’s 2022 checklist lists “Takes a few steps on his own” at 15 months and “Walks without holding on to anyone or anything” at 18 months. At 12 months it lists “Walks, holding on to furniture”. Each item is something most children (75 in 100) do by that age. If you have a concern about walking, don’t wait for the next visit: talk with your child’s doctor.

What should a 15-month-old understand?

At 15 months CDC lists “Looks at a familiar object when you name it” and “Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, “Give me the toy.”” At 18 months the gesture drops away: “Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”” If you have a question about what your child understands, talk with your child’s doctor.

What comes before and after 15 months

Show CDC’s 12-month and 18-month lists

CDC’s checklists for the checkpoints on either side of 15 months, word for word, by area of development. They are here to compare; the checklist to mark is the 15-month one above.

Social/Emotional Milestones

At 12 months

  • Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake

At 18 months

  • Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
  • Points to show you something interesting
  • Puts hands out for you to wash them
  • Looks at a few pages in a book with you
  • Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot

Language/Communication Milestones

At 12 months

  • Waves “bye-bye”
  • Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
  • Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

At 18 months

  • Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”
  • Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

At 12 months

  • Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
  • Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket

At 18 months

  • Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
  • Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

At 12 months

  • Pulls up to stand
  • Walks, holding on to furniture
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
  • Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

At 18 months

  • Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
  • Scribbles
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
  • Feeds himself with his fingers
  • Tries to use a spoon
  • Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help

Tips and activities for 15 months

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program. The tips and activities below are CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s page for this age

What You Can Do for Your 15-month-old

As your child's first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try these simple tips and activities in a safe way. Talk with your child's doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your child's development.

  • Help your child learn to speak. A child's early words are not complete. Repeat and add to what he says. He may say "ba" for ball and you can say "Ball, yes, that's a ball."
  • Tell your child the names of objects when he points to them and wait a few seconds to see if he makes any sounds before handing it to him. If he does make a sound, acknowledge him, and repeat the name of the object. "Yes! Cup."
  • Find ways to let your child help with everyday activities. Let her get her shoes to go outside, put the snacks in the bag for the park, or put the socks in the basket.
More Parenting Tips and Activities (20)
  • Have steady routines for sleeping and feeding. Create a calm, quiet bedtime for your child. Put on his pajamas, brush his teeth, and read 1 or 2 books to him. Children between 1 and 2 years of age need 11 to 14 hours of sleep a day (including naps). Consistent sleep times make it easier!
  • Show your child different things, such as a hat. Ask him, "What do you do with a hat? You put it on your head." Put it on your head and then give it to him to see if he copies you. Do this with other objects, such as a book or a cup.
  • Sing songs with gestures, such as "Wheels on the Bus." See if your child tries to do some of the actions.
  • Say what you think your child is feeling (for example, sad, mad, frustrated, happy). Use your words, facial expressions, and voice to show what you think she is feeling. For example, say "You are frustrated because we can't go outside, but you can't hit. Let's go look for an indoor game."
  • Expect tantrums. They are normal at this age and are more likely if your child is tired or hungry. Tantrums should become shorter and happen less as he gets older. You can try a distraction, but it is ok to let him have the tantrum without doing anything. Give him some time to calm down and move on.
  • Teach your child "wanted behaviors." Show her what to do and use positive words or give her hugs and kisses when she does it. For example, if she pulls your pet's tail, teach her how to pet gently. Give her a hug when she does it.
  • Limit screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) to video calling with loved ones. Screen time is not recommended for children younger than 2 years of age. Children learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others.
  • Encourage your child to play with blocks. You can stack the blocks and she can knock them down.
  • Let your child use a cup without a lid for drinking and practice eating with a spoon. Learning to eat and drink is messy but fun!
  • Give your child water, breast milk, or plain milk. You don't need to give your child juice, but if you do, give 4 ounces or less a day of 100% fruit juice. Do not give your child other sugary beverages, such as fruit drinks, soda, sports drinks, or flavored milks.
  • Give your baby safe places to explore. Baby-proof your home. For example, move sharp or breakable things out of reach. Lock away medicines, chemicals, and cleaning products. Save the Poison Help Line number, 800-222-1222, in all phones.
  • Continue to talk, read, sing, and tell your child the names of things throughout the day. She will try to say and learn many new words, which can help her read later on.
  • Make a "book" with pictures of people and pets in your child's life. Name them as you look through the book together. Include a picture of your child.
  • Sing or play children's songs and songs your family enjoys. Dance with your child.
  • Read a new book after a favorite one to explore and try new books. Children like to do favorite things again and again. You can use the things they like to do to introduce new things.
  • Play simple games, such as hide and seek. Let your child watch you hide behind a chair and then wait for her to come "find" you.
  • Make up a simple "cleanup song" and sing it while you teach your child to help "clean up." Have him help put toys in a basket or hand you things to put away.
  • You can teach simple gestures and sign language (for example, pointing and waving) to help your child "talk" to you and show you what she wants.
  • "Pretend talk" to your child with a stuffed animal. See if your child tries to copy you or if he uses another stuffed animal to "talk" with the one you are holding.
  • Blow bubbles and let your child pop them. Say things as she pops them, such as "Pop, pop."

On CDC’s site

The checklist on this page is CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s site already has an online checklist for each age. What this page adds: a corrected-age calculator and a list for the doctor that prints without an email step.

More for parents

Milestone checklist: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”, 2022 revision. Source: CDC. Read this checklist on cdc.gov

Use of CDC material on this page does not imply endorsement by CDC, ATSDR, HHS or the United States Government.

Prepared by MyTestAtlas from CDC materials.