Month 22 of 24 · Window 8 · Almost two

Your 22-month-old: milestones and what to expect

Q: What milestones should a 22-month-old have?

Most toddlers do these by 18 months (CDC): 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 them by pushing an arm through a sleeve or lifting up a foot · 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." · Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom · plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car · walks without holding on to anyone or anything · scribbles · drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes · feeds themselves with their fingers · tries to use a spoon · climbs on and off a couch or chair without help.

Twenty-two months is the last stretch before the CDC 24-month checklist. Two-word phrases like "more milk" are the one many parents wait for, and gestures like blowing a kiss or nodding yes count as communication too.

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

Most toddlers do these by 18 months (CDC)

What most children this age can do

Social & emotional: 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 them by pushing an arm through a sleeve or lifting up a foot.

Language & communication: 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."

Movement & thinking: Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom · plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car · walks without holding on to anyone or anything · scribbles · drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes · feeds themselves with their fingers · tries to use a spoon · climbs on and off a couch or chair without help.

The next official CDC checklist is at 24 months, between checklists, children work on these same skills at their own pace.

What you might notice

No fussier stretches were described in the research for this window. Many children are adding words, running, and noticing how other people feel. Big feelings and a lot of "mine" and "no" are common around this age, and they vary widely from child to child.

What can help this month

Talk through what you are doing ("We are putting on your shoes"), read together every day, and give simple choices ("red cup or blue cup?"). Offer plenty of safe chances to run, kick a ball, and climb. When feelings get big, stay calm and wait for them to pass.

And you: By two, you have been doing this for a long time. You are allowed to be tired, and you are allowed to ask for help.

Talk with your pediatrician if…

Talk with your doctor

Your baby is missing one or more of the milestones above by 24 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.

Want the personal version?

This page covers what's typical at 22 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.