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

At 19 months, your toddler is officially closer to their second birthday than their first. Let that digest for a moment! It may feel like time is flying by, especially with all your little one is up to these days. At this age, your 19 month old is likely working on a range of new milestones from speech and language development to emotional and fine motor development. They may be turning into a pro at climbing stairs, adding more words to their vocabulary (and starting to put them together!), or even learning how to run. In this article, we’ll take you through the milestones you can expect from 19 - 20 months, give you a handy 19 month old development checklist, and provide useful tips to support your little one’s growth. 

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19 month old baby milestones at a glance

At a year and seven months, it may feel like your toddler is gaining new skills every day. 

Development: Your 19 month old is filled with emotions and is learning how to better express those big feelings more effectively — and cope with them when things don’t go their way. Toddlers this age are working on expanding their vocabulary (some may say 50 - 100 words [] by their second birthday). They’re also using those nimble little fingers more to learn about the world around them — from turning pages on their own and flipping switches [] to figuring out how buttons and gears work.

Sleep: Continue to aim for about per day (11 - 12 hours at night and 2 - 3 hours of day sleep). Most 19 month olds have transitioned to 1 daily nap and need 5 - 5.75 hours of awake time between sleep periods. Many children experience bumpy sleep around 18 - 19 months, as they go through developmental milestones and the 2 to 1 nap transition. This sudden period of challenging sleep is often called the “.” However, not all toddlers will experience new sleep issues at this age.  .

Just remember that every child is different and their sleep needs may vary. The recommended hours are a rough guide, so don’t stress trying to hit the exact sleep hour goals. Instead, pay attention to your little one’s mood and energy levels when evaluating if they’re getting enough rest. 

Feeding: Most 19 month olds need around 1,000 calories per day [], typically divided into three meals and two snacks. Don’t be alarmed if you have a on your hands (it’s common at this age!). Continue offering a variety of new foods (with plenty of fat) along with familiar, well-liked options []. Let them experiment with a range of tastes and textures, without worrying about how much they’re actually eating. However, if you have concerns or notice any red flags (e.g. significant growth concerns or texture aversion) when it comes to your child’s eating, consult their healthcare provider.  

19 month developmental milestones

Physical development at 19 months

As your toddler approaches 19 - 20 months, this time is filled with exciting new developmental milestones.

Gross motor milestones

By 19 months, most toddlers walk independently and are working on related milestones. For example, they may be climbing up steps, getting on and off furniture by themselves, or starting to stand on tiptoes. Toddlers typically learn how to run and kick a ball between 19 - 24 months. 

Don’t worry if your little one isn’t sprinting at 19 months — there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to milestones. However, check in with your child’s healthcare provider if they’re not taking independent steps by 18 months [].

Fine motor milestones

You may have a budding artist at 19 months who can hold crayons with their fingertips and thumb [] and scribble spontaneously. Or a mini architect who can build towers with four or more blocks. At this age, you may notice your toddler starting to use one hand more frequently than the other or have a clear preference []. They’ll also be working on being able to manipulate small objects [] like gears [], buttons, and doorknobs.

Speech, language, and communication development at 19 months

Language skills: Your 19 month old is likely saying simple words and phrases while building a 50+ word vocabulary [2]. They may be starting to combine them into 2 - 4 word sentences []. But be careful what you say around them — this is the age where your little chatterbox may start repeating words [] they overhear.

During this time, they’re likely rapidly learning new words — even if they can’t say them just yet. Between 18 - 24 months, toddlers typically go through a period of “” [] and can comprehend more words than they speak for a while.

Pointing to communicate: By 19 months, toddlers tend to use their hands (and pointer finger) to communicate while building their vocabularies. At this age, your little one may be able to point to things in a book or picture (for example, if you ask, “Can you find the monkey?”). They may also be able to point to one or two body parts [] when asked. Gestures: Your little one’s pointer finger isn’t the only one getting a workout as they near their second birthday. Many 19 month olds are starting to use more gestures [] to communicate in addition to pointing and waving. They may be blowing kisses or nodding their heads to say, “Yes!” 

Social and emotional development at 19 months

Working on empathy: At this age, many 19 month olds are starting to work on empathy [] and noticing the feelings of those around them. They may recognize when someone is hurt or upset and stop or look sad if they see someone crying.

Look for your lead: By 19 months, your little one is likely mimicking your behaviors and words. But now, they may start turning towards you to check in emotionally. Before reacting to new situations, your toddler may stop to look at your face first to see how you feel (and how they should feel) about things. Expanding social interactions: Many 19 month olds are working on playing with others and are increasingly excited []about seeing other kiddos. At this age, toddlers may be able to participate in playing in small groups with other kiddos. They may also be more aware and interested in maintaining eye contact with others. 

Quiet play: Toddlers this age are typically on the move but learning to appreciate taking time to sit and look at or listen to books as they near their second birthday. By this age, they typically can turn the pages of a book on their own and start playing with toys more without mouthing them.

19 month milestone checklist

Below is a general checklist of milestones that some babies will start to reach by 19 months. Keep in mind all toddlers are unique, and there's a spectrum of normal milestones at 19 months. However, if you are concerned about your child’s growth or developmental delays, contact their healthcare provider.

Milestones to watch for at 19 months:

• Uses simple phrases () []

• Starts to jump with both feet leaving the ground 

• Runs 

• Stands on tiptoes 

• Climbs on low furniture 

• Kicks large ball 

• Goes up and down stairs (with support)

• Flips switches on and off 

• Scribbles

• Sorts shapes and colors 

• Stacks 4+ or more small blocks or toys

• ​​Takes toys apart and puts them back together

• Uses at least 50 words (19 - 21 months)

• Consistently imitates new words (19 - 21 months)

• Understands simple pronouns (me, you, my) (19 - 21 months)

• Identifies 1 - 2 body parts when named []

• Locates objects you’re pointing to

• Eats with a spoon (19-24 months)

• Holds something in one hand while using the other hand (19-24 months)

• Tries to flip switches, turn knobs, and press buttons (19-24 months)

• Plays with more than one toy at the same time (19-24 months)

5 development tips for 19 months

Tip #1: Keep mealtimes pressure-free 

You may have noticed your little one’s appetite decrease after their first birthday, or you might have a new picky eater on your hands — while frustrating, both are normal at this age. The mealtime struggle can feel real but try to keep things relaxed instead of pressuring them to eat. Pushing boundaries is also common at this age and food is often part of this power struggle. Eating is one of the first areas where toddlers feel they have control [] and many are eager to assert their power. Remember, their diet will likely balance out [] over a few days and forcing food [] may actually result in more in the long run.

Tip #2: Involve your little helper in household tasks 

At 19 months old, your toddler isn’t too young to lend a helping hand — even if they aren’t always actually that helpful. From working with you on meal prep [] and picking up toys to helping with dusting or sweeping, get your toddler in on some light chores around the house. Involving them in household tasks is a great way for them to work different muscle groups [], practice fine motor skills, and build confidence as well as independence. It also allows them to try mimicking what they see you do, follow simple instructions, and start learning responsibility. 

Tip #3: Use fingers for fun

As your 19 month old works on their dexterity, you can use those little fingers for games that work on big skills. Break out the finger paint and let them mix colors and explore their creative thinking. Or play point games [] (where you point to objects and say their names) as your little one works on language and learning how objects and words relate. 

Tip #4: Lean into routines 

Many toddlers thrive on having predictable pre-sleep routines. But routines aren’t just for bedtime. At this age, doing the same simple routines and transitions throughout the day may help toddlers feel safe and more in control of their world. Daily routines may help toddlers cope with activity changes [], feel more secure, encourage self-control, and build positive behavior. 

Tip #5: Encourage independent play

Give your 19 month old opportunities for independent play [] — and then ask them about it afterward. Periods of solo time give toddlers the chance to learn more about themselves while working on problem-solving, building their creativity, boosting their confidence, exploring what they’re good at, and practicing self-regulation. Designate a specific space for them to safely play (where you can see and hear them). If they want you involved, join them in the beginning then try to slowly ease away (even if it's just for a few minutes). After solo play, celebrate their time by asking them to tell you about it. Not only does the recap work on boosting their vocabulary, but it also helps build up their sense of pride, confidence, and comfort with being alone for the next time.

Takeaway

• 19 month olds are learning how to express their big emotions and may be going through a “language explosion” while rapidly comprehending new words — even if they can’t speak them yet. 

• Toddlers at 19 months tend to have a more predictable sleep schedule with 1 nap, though nap transitions and developmental milestones may disrupt sleep at this age (commonly referred to as an “”). 

• As toddlers approach their second birthday, they typically need three meals and two snacks per day. However, it’s normal to see bouts of picky eating and/or an inconsistent appetite at this age. 

• Ways to encourage growth and development at 19 months include making mealtimes pressure-free, getting them involved in household activities, using fingers for fun, leaning into routines, and encouraging small windows of independent play.

• Keep in mind there’s a wide range of what’s considered “normal” when it comes to 19 month milestones. Not all toddlers are on the same timeline and 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.