At fifteen months most toddlers take a few steps on their own, stack two blocks, point to ask for things and try out a word or two beyond “mama” — “ba” for ball, “da” for dog. Here is what most babies do by 15 months, four easy ways to play this week, and what to check now that snacks are part of the day.
What most babies do by 15 months
From CDC's 2022 checklists: things at least 3 in 4 babies do by this age. A guide for a chat with your pediatrician, not a test.
Copies other children at play, like taking things out of a container when another child does
Shows you something they like
Claps when excited
Hugs a soft toy
Shows you affection — hugs, cuddles or kisses
Talking and listening
Tries to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada”, like “ba” for ball
Looks at a familiar thing when you name it
Follows directions given with a gesture and words, like handing you a toy when you hold out your hand and ask
Points to ask for something or to get help
Thinking and exploring
Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup or book
Stacks at least two small things, like blocks
Moving
Takes a few steps alone
Feeds themselves some food with the fingers
Every baby has their own timing
WHO followed 816 healthy babies in five countries, India among them, and timed six movement milestones. Each bar is the window in which 98 of every 100 of them got there.
Sits without support4–9 mo
Stands with help5–11 mo
Crawls on hands and knees5–14 mo
Walks with help6–14 mo
Stands alone7–17 mo
Walks alone8–18 mo
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Your baby: 15 months
Walking alone came anywhere from about 8 to 18 months, so plenty of 15-month-olds are still holding a finger — and that sits inside the window.
Play together this week
Five or ten minutes each, with things already in your home. Do them in any language you speak at home.
1
Tumbler tower
5 min · nothing to buy
You need: Three or four steel tumblers or small steel dabbas
Turn two tumblers upside down and stack one on the other.
Let your toddler knock it down — that is half the fun.
Then hand them one: “Your turn, put it on top.”
Stacks two things
Copies you at play
2
Give it to me
5 min · nothing to buy
You need: A few everyday things — a spoon, a cup, a comb
Put three things in front of your toddler and name each one.
Hold out your hand: “Give me the spoon.”
Thank them every time, then swap roles and give things back when they ask.
Follows directions with a gesture
Looks at things you name
3
Walk to me
5–10 min · nothing to buy
You need: Two grown-ups, or a sofa and you
Kneel a few steps away and hold out your arms.
Let your toddler stand by the sofa, then call them across.
Catch them with a hug, and move back one small step for next time.
Stay close. A clear, soft floor with no sharp corners in the way. Barefoot grips best.
Takes a few steps alone
Shows you affection
4
Phone call
5 min · nothing to buy
You need: A wooden block or the TV remote with its batteries out, as a pretend phone
Hold the “phone” to your ear: “Hello, Nani!” and chat a little.
Hand it over and wait. Most toddlers try their own hello.
Pass it to a soft toy for a turn too.
Stay close. Take the batteries out first — button batteries are never for small hands.
Uses things the right way
Tries a word or two
What your toddler eats and uses now
Toddlers now eat what the family eats, and the packets in the cupboard change — biscuits, juices, flavoured milk, a sip of someone's chai. On the back, check for:
Toothpaste, now there are teeth to brush: 1000 ppm fluoride or less, a rice-grain smear.Fluoride toothpaste
Scan a label
Free. No sign-up. Pick 12–36 months on the result to check it for this age.
WHO advises no sedentary screen time for children under 2; CDC's tips keep screens to video calls with family.
If something worries you
You know your baby best. If your baby is not doing some of these things yet, or has stopped doing something they used to do, tell your pediatrician — at the next visit, or sooner. CDC's advice is not to wait: acting early is what helps most.
Born early? For the first two years, pediatricians usually count from the due date — the corrected age.
In India, your pediatrician can also refer you to the District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) at your district hospital, part of the government's Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram.
Questions CDC suggests taking to the visit:
What do you and your baby enjoy doing together?
What does your baby like to do?
Is there anything your baby does, or does not do, that worries you?
Has your baby stopped doing anything they used to do?
Was your baby born early, or do they have any special health needs?
Pikabee