Pre-Reading Milestones for Ages 12 to 17 Months

Motor Skills

  • Sits independently without support from a person.
  • Carries books or objects when walking.
  • Moves or dances to music.
  • Shows increased awareness of books, such as holding them, opening them or turning several pages at once.

Language And Cognitive Skills

  • Uses motions or gestures to communicate, such as waving goodbye or shaking head “no.”
  • Labels things consistently with the same sound and begins to say words – may not pronounce the word accurately, but makes a consistent and recognizable sound (e.g., “muh” for “milk” or “Da” for “Daddy”).
  • Understands familiar words even if he cannot say the words – will point to the correct object, toy, picture or person when asked.
  • Chooses books for adults to read to them – may want to switch books before a story is finished.
  • Holds book right-side up – from this early age, babies start to learn which way pictures in books should be oriented.

Helping at Home

  • Show interest when your child brings you a book to read.
  • Name and describe pictures in a book.
  • Make up your own words to the story and don’t worry about reading all the words on a page.
  • Follow your child’s lead as you read together – your child may want to turn the page, change books before you are finished reading, or stop looking at books and do something else.
  • Continue talking and singing during daily routines.
  • Ask your child to point to, touch or show you pictures, toys or objects as you name them.
  • Accept your child’s short attention span and movement during book time – a reading activity may be only a couple of minutes. Your child does not have to sit the whole time.  

Warning Signs

  • Does not say any words.
  • Does not respond when his name is called – when you call your child’s name in a regular tone of voice (not shouting), he does not routinely turn toward you.
  • Does not initiate shared interaction – does not bring you a toy or book to enjoy together.
  • Does not point out objects of interest for you.
  • Often seems to be “in her own world” – beyond just shyness, seems less interested than usual in other people and does not make much eye contact.
  • Does not start walking.

More Fun Ideas