Pre-Reading Milestones for Ages 18 to 23 Months

Motor Skills

  • Turns book pages without help – especially “chubby” book pages made of thick cardboard.
  • Tries scribbling with chalk, crayons, paint or washable markers.
  • Shows increasing skill in picking up smaller objects with fingers.
  • Uses both hands to pick up, hold or carry things.

Language And Cognitive Skills

  • Names several familiar objects and pictures.
  • Uses short phrases when talking, such as “Mommy come,” “See Daddy,” “Want juice.”
  • Follows simple directions – “Bring me your shoes; we are going outside.”
  • Brings books to you to read.
  • Imitates your words and actions – tries to copy you by pretending to cook, shave, take care of a doll or stuffed animal, or use play tools.

Helping at Home

  • Build daily routines around books and reading, such as during naptime or bedtime.
  • Read stories about your child’s current experiences – this helps your child make connections and understand significant events in her life (potty training, visiting grandparents, being sick).
  • Ask your child to point to and name pictures in books.
  • Let your child turn the pages in books. Choose books for tiny hands and fingers, such as books made of thick cardboard, cloth or plastic baby-safe material.
  • Elaborate on your child’s language – if your child says “truck,” you say, “Yes, it’s a big yellow dump truck.”
  • Provide sidewalk chalk, markers or non-toxic paint for your child to use to scribble.

Warning Signs

  • Stops using words – suddenly seems socially withdrawn (“in her own world”) and does not use words that she previously used.
  • Has trouble understanding simple spoken language – needs you to show her what you are saying in order to understand.
  • Does not say several words and short phrases.
  • Does not walk independently – should be able to walk without holding on to furniture or another person.
  • Shows odd, repeated movements with body or objects – examples include spinning her body or objects frequently (multiple times per day) or focusing obsessively on one part of a toy, such as the wheels on a car, rather than playing with the toy like other children the same age.

More Fun Ideas