17 month old toddler milestones: Development, growth, speech, language, and more

When your little one reaches 17 months old, they're in an exciting phase of toddlerhood filled with new milestones and development. Your child is continuing to make moves at this age and may be gaining new skills — fast! 

In this article, we’ll take you through the milestones that toddlers often reach between 17 - 18 months, including speech milestones and development (language development, physical development, and emotional development!). We’ll also provide a handy 17 month old development checklist that you can refer to and share tips to support your toddler’s growth.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

17 month old baby milestones at a glance

At a year and 5 months, you have a bonafide toddler, and big things are likely happening, both physically and emotionally. 

Development: Many 17 month olds are spending more time on their feet with steadier legs. As their muscles get stronger and coordination improves, your toddler may be inching closer to walking without support (if they’re not already) — and tackling new gross motor milestones along the way. During this time, you may see your little one walking backward, taking steps upstairs with assistance, and even starting to climb on and off the sofa. They're also likely able to say a few words (including "no!") and follow simple instructions. But that doesn't mean they want to… temper tantrums are also common at this age.

Sleep: With all this rapid development, your still needs plenty of sleep. We recommend aiming for 13 - 14 hours of total sleep per day at this age for most kiddos.This may look like 11 hours of nighttime sleep and 2 - 3 hours of daytime sleep, split over 1 - 2 naps during the day. However, note that sleep needs vary by child.

Toddlers tend to transition to a between 14 - 18 months, so your little one may be in the process of lengthening their wake windows or showing signs that they’re ready to drop a nap. If your child is on a two-nap schedule, they likely need 3.5 - 4 hours of awake time in between sleep periods to be sufficiently tired.. If they’re down to one nap per day, they likely need to stay awake for 5 - 5.5 hours before their nap and bedtime to avoid overtiredness.

Remember, every child is different and so are their sleep needs. These sleep totals are general recommendations — and what’s normal and healthy may differ for your child. It’s also important to monitor your toddler's mood and energy levels to help determine if they’re getting enough sleep.

Contrary to popular belief, there’s not a predetermined “” that will impact every child at this age. Sleep regressions can happen at any age, though we commonly see sleep challenges around 17 - 18 months as painful molars break through, separation anxiety heightens, they resist sleep as their need for independence peaks, and they adjust to new nap schedules.

If you’d like personalized sleep guidance for your little one, especially as you navigate the change to a 1-nap schedule, consider submitting for a sleep plan through. Our step-by-step plans are tailored to your child’s needs as well as your family’s goals.

Feeding: By 17 months, many toddlers are working on feeding themselves (with or without utensils) and getting the hang of drinking out of a cup. These eating skills may still be a work in progress. We recommend offering a day to ensure they’re getting the calories they need and for ample time to practice these fine motor skills. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends water [] as the main source of hydration. Children may also drink whole or other non-dairy milk — typically about 16 - 24 oz a day, unless the child is eating a lot of yogurt and cheese. Many 17 month olds also continue to breastfeed, though solids are now  their primary source of nutrition. 

17 month developmental milestones

Physical development at 17 months

Your little one may be on the move with more confidence than ever at 17 - 18 months (and enjoying the newfound independence that comes with these milestones!). 

Gross motor milestones

You may have a little cruiser on your hands who is starting to take steps without support or they may be walking well independently already. There’s a wide range of normal when it comes to when children begin walking — between 8 - 18 months []. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends speaking with your child’s healthcare provider if they’re not taking independent steps by 18 months []. Between 17 - 18 months, some toddlers may also climb up steps or get on and off furniture by themselves. 

Fine motor milestones

Many 17 months are exploring fine motor skills and putting them to use. From trying to feed themselves (with their hands or utensils) to help dressing themselves [] by putting their arm through a sleeve or lifting up their foot, these little ones tend to be eager to help — or do it themselves. At this age, your kiddo may also be able to start scribbling and put their hands out for you to wash them. 

Speech, language, and communication development at 17 months

Language skills: Your 17 month old is likely learning new words and possibly even 2-word phrases. Between 17 and 18 months, many toddlers know how to say between 3 and 20 simple words [](even if they don’t pronounce all of them perfectly). They may also be able to understand 50+ words, identify 1 - 2 body parts [], respond to yes or no questions by shaking or nodding their head, and repeat words they overhear. 

Following commands: Many 17 month olds may both understand commands and be able to follow them. At this age, little ones tend to start learning how to follow simple one-step instructions, some even without gestures []. For example, if you say, “Give me the book,” they might hand it to you — even if you didn’t put out your hand or reach for it. 

Pointing to show interest: At this age, many 17 months old know what they want and get creative with how they communicate it. Although your little one might not know how to say, “Mother, I’d like you to prepare some of those delicious-looking blueberries for me,” they may start pointing [], gesturing, or leading your hand to show interest. 

Social and emotional development at 17 months

Temper tantrums: At 17 months old, your child may have big feelings — and a short fuse. As your little one works on asserting their independence and communicating their desires, you may notice an increase in fits. This is a tricky limbo stage where children aren’t young babies anymore but they’re not quite full-fledged toddlers who can communicate their wants clearly and it can lead to frustration on both ends. Temper tantrums are part of and although they can be stressful for both parents and kiddos alike, try to stay calm and be consistent with boundaries. 

Separation anxiety: You may notice your child’s separation anxiety at 17 months old. According to the AAP [], toddlers tend to start experiencing separation anxiety at 15 or 18 months, even if they didn’t have any when they were younger. This clinginess may worsen when they’re hungry, tired, sick, and/or as they become more aware of their independence.

Mimicking behaviors: 17 month olds aren’t just absorbing everything they see — they’re also starting to copy it. At this age, you may see your toddler imitating simple words or actions, copying your behaviors [] during chores or pretend play, or repeating what they see others do [] during the day. 

17 month milestone checklist

At 17 months, your toddler is between two significant sets of milestones that doctors look at: the 15 month and 18 month milestones. During these rapid periods of development in your child’s life, your little one is gaining new skills in eating, sleeping, and communicating. While you may be eager to watch your child learn and grow, keep in mind that toddlers hit milestones at different times. There’s often a wide spectrum of what’s normal at 17 months. Some children may still be mastering 15 month milestones while others may be working towards those 18-month skills. If you’re concerned about potential growth or developmental delays, reach out to your child’s healthcare provider. 

Milestones to watch for at 17 months:

• Walking (8 - 18 months) and starting to run (15 - 18 months) []

• Drinks from a cup and eats with a spoon

• Communicates with single words (and may have learned a few more)

• Shows a range of emotions — from temper tantrums to affection

• Follows simple, one-step instructions

• May point to show you things of interest []

• Use objects as they’re intended [] — like typing on a toy computer’s keyboard

• Imitate what they see others doing (e.g. copying parent doing chores or brushing their teeth)

• May walk backwards 

• May walk upstairs with assistance 

• Scribbles spontaneously

• Builds a two-block tower (15 - 17 months)

• May begin to use two-word phrases (16 - 24 months) 

• Combines sounds and actions (points to water and says “wawa”)

6 tips to support a 17 month old’s development

Tip #1: Play a new take on show and tell

At 17 months old, your little one may use more advanced gestures to express what they want. During these times of deeper communication [], your toddler may take your hand to lead you to a shelf and point to the toy (or snack!) that they want. When they do these acts of “showing” to communicate, respond by “telling” or talking about the object, to help promote your child’s vocabulary. 

For example, if they point to a book, you can say something like: “Yes, I see that book and that's my favorite book too. I love reading that book with you.” You can also play “show and tell games” with body parts and colors. Try asking them to show you their ear and then you point to it or to show you the red block. Turn it into a game by repeating it they may start doing it on their own. 

Tip #2: Reset how you think about tantrums

As your little one gets further into the toddler months, you may see their range of emotions growing too. These bursts of big feelings are expected and so are the uptick in tantrums that tend to come with them. You may notice your little one has a shorter fuse than before with more screaming, crying, and even hitting when they’re upset. Although it can feel exasperating (or like you’re doing something wrong), tantrums at this age are expected. But it’s also natural to feel frustrated or alone when your child is in the midst of one.

In these moments, try to remember that you aren’t alone — you and your little one are in this together and it’s natural for you both to feel frustrated. These temper tantrums signal that your little one is overwhelmed (and possibly also tired or hungry). They aren’t melting down to intentionally misbehave or wear you down. They’re doing it because they’re still learning to process and express their wants and needs. How you respond — with patience, calmness, humor, or even distraction [] — can help calm them down and reset the tone for both of you.  

Tip #3: Make storytime interactive

Whether you’re reading during your bedtime routine or getting in some daytime stories, consider how you do it. Try slowing things down and interacting with the story as you read by pointing out different objects and talking about them. Also go off-script and chat about illustrations, even if they aren’t mentioned in the copy for that page. All of these bonus interactions encourage language development [] and can foster your child’s love of reading.

Tip #4: Give them positive reinforcement along the way

Whether your little one is working towards achieving a new milestone or just trying something new for the first time, make a point of praising their efforts along the way. By offering support throughout the process — instead of showering them with praise at the end — you’re teaching your little one about persistence and to feel good about trying hard things. For example, if your little one is working on a new fine motor skill like scribbling [], offer praise from the start as they first learn to explore with their hands []. 

From first picking up the crayon to figuring out how to hold it and move it along a piece of paper, celebrate the small steps along the way. That could sound like, “Wow, I can see you're trying different ways to hold it. Great job experimenting!" or "Every time you practice, you’re doing something new. Look at all the little marks you made!" This extra support also helps reinforce the positive behavior you want to see (which may be even more beneficial as you navigate those tantrums) and learn that your support isn’t only contingent on success. 

Tip #5: Encourage pretend play

At this age, your little one may be starting to copy you [] and model some of your behaviors. Encourage this by incorporating both pretend and role-playing. Whether it’s breaking out a toy broom for your little one to “help” with as you sweep or pretending to brush their favorite stuffed animal’s teeth, engaging in this type of play helps foster their imagination and language skills []. 

Tip #6: Model empathy

You can help teach your toddler how to be empathetic by making a point to emphasize other people’s feelings. Whether you’re reading a book or playing with another child, try to highlight different emotions, express them with your face, and demonstrate the positive behavior you want them to see. Children also learn to be empathetic [] by experiencing it themselves, so name your toddler’s different emotions, validate them as you express understanding of wants or frustrations, and show them the empathy that you hope they learn to show others.  

Takeaway

• 17 month olds are on the move and learning more every day as it becomes easier to explore their environment and express their wants. 

• Toddlers at 17 months are also getting better at asserting their independence — whether through walking on their own, feeding themselves, or pointing to what they want and making it clear with a “no!” (or tantrum). Children this age prefer doing things themselves, even if that’s not always possible! 

• With toddlers’ newfound independence, it’s developmentally normal to see an increase in behaviors like tantrums, picky eating, and sleep resistance. 

• You can help encourage this sense of self and the new skills they’re working on mastering with positive reinforcement, pretend play, interactive storytime, modeling empathy, and resetting how you think about tantrums.

• Remember, not all kiddos are on the same timeline. There’s a wide range of what’s considered “normal” when it comes to both toddler growth and development. It’s OK if your little one hasn’t mastered all of these skills yet. However, always listen to your gut and contact your child’s healthcare provider if you notice any concerns, developmental red flags, or delays.