Month 15 of 24 · Window 6 · First steps and first words

Your 15-month-old: milestones and what to expect

Q: What milestones should a 15-month-old have?

Most toddlers do these by 15 months (CDC): Copies other children while playing · shows you an object they like · claps when excited · hugs a stuffed doll or other toy · shows you affection · Tries to say one or two words besides "mama" or "dada" · looks at a familiar object when you name it · follows directions given with both a gesture and words · points to ask for something or to get help · Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book · stacks at least two small objects · takes a few steps on their own · uses fingers to feed themselves some food.

Fifteen months brings the next CDC checklist: a few steps on their own, one or two words besides mama and dada, pointing to ask for something, and hugs for a stuffed toy. Copying other children while playing is on the list too.

Checked against CDC, AAP and NHS guidance · how we fact-check

Most toddlers do these by 15 months (CDC)

What most children this age can do

Social & emotional: Copies other children while playing · shows you an object they like · claps when excited · hugs a stuffed doll or other toy · shows you affection.

Language & communication: Tries to say one or two words besides "mama" or "dada" · looks at a familiar object when you name it · follows directions given with both a gesture and words · points to ask for something or to get help.

Movement & thinking: Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book · stacks at least two small objects · takes a few steps on their own · uses fingers to feed themselves some food.

What you might notice

The 1992 research listed one more fussier stretch around week 62. A later study that followed four babies to about 15 months did not find a strict timing pattern, so treat it as a possibility, not a schedule. This window is mostly about first steps, first words, and a lot of showing you things.

What can help this month

Read the same books again and again, name what your child points at, and let them try things before you step in. Walking often starts with a few steps and a lot of sitting back down, and that is practice, not a setback. Check that low furniture and stairs are safe now that your child is on the move.

And you: Some days will be all clinging and some all wandering off. Both are normal at this age. You are not doing it wrong, and you do not need to have it figured out.

Talk with your pediatrician if…

Talk with your doctor

Your baby is missing one or more of the milestones above by 15 months, or has lost skills they once had. That is the CDC's own advice: don't wait, talk with the doctor and ask about developmental screening. And if you're simply worried, that's reason enough to call.

Coming up: after this window comes "exploring and copying" (weeks 65 to 78). No deadlines, windows.

Want the personal version?

This page covers what's typical at 15 months in general. For your own baby's map, including adjusted age for premature babies, run the free forecast.

See my baby's exact forecast

Sources: CDC milestone checklists (2022 revision) · Zubler et al., Pediatrics 2022 · van de Rijt-Plooij & Plooij, 1992 (via KNAW review) · Sadurní & Rostan, 2002. Timing varies a lot between babies, windows, not deadlines.