23-month-old baby milestones: Development, growth, speech, language, and more

As your little one approaches their second birthday, the 23-month mark is an exciting and dynamic phase in their development.  

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This period is filled with rapid growth and new skills, making each day a new adventure.

From physical milestones to cognitive and language development, your toddler is mastering many abilities that will lay the foundation for the years ahead.

Let’s explore the key developmental milestones for a 23-month-old, covering everything from physical and cognitive development to language, feeding, and sleep patterns.

23-month-old physical milestones

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At 23 months, your toddler is mastering physical skills that highlight their growing strength, coordination, and dexterity.

This phase is all about refining the abilities they’ve been developing over the past months. These are some key physical milestones to expect.

Fine motor skills and cognitive development

Your 23-month-old toddler’s fine motor skills are becoming more precise and controlled. They might be able to:

• Draw simple shapes: Scribbling becomes more intentional, and they might start to draw simple shapes like circles and lines.
• Build towers: Stacking blocks into taller towers demonstrates improved hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.
• Turn pages: Flipping through books page by page becomes easier as their finger dexterity improves.
• Use utensils: They may start using a spoon or fork with greater accuracy, making mealtimes less messy and more enjoyable.

These fine motor skills are closely linked to cognitive development. They require concentration, problem-solving, and an understanding of cause and effect.

Activities like drawing and building refine their physical abilities and boost their creativity and cognitive growth.

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Language and communication

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At 23 months, your toddler’s language skills are rapidly expanding. This period is often marked by significant strides in expressive and receptive language abilities. Here’s what you might observe.

• Growing vocabulary: Your 23-month-old child likely knows and uses 50 to 100 words. They are constantly adding new words, often daily.
• Simple sentences: They can start combining words into simple sentences, such as “want juice” or “big truck.” This ability to form two to three-word phrases helps them communicate more effectively.
• Following instructions: Your 23-month-old toddler can understand and follow simple two-step directions like “find your shoes and bring them here.” This shows their growing comprehension skills.
• Repeating words and phrases: Repetition is a key learning tool at this age. They enjoy repeating words and phrases, which helps reinforce their language skills.
• Interest in books and stories: Reading together remains crucial. Books with simple stories and colourful pictures can capture their interest and support language development.

Engaging with your 23-month-old toddler through conversations, reading, and interactive play can significantly boost their language and communication skills.

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Potty training

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Potty training is a significant milestone, and by 23 months, many toddlers start showing signs that they are ready to begin this process. While each child is unique, certain indicators can help you determine if your toddler is prepared for potty training.

• Physical readiness: Your 23-month-old toddler can stay dry for at least two hours during the day or wake up dry from naps, indicating improved bladder control.
• Awareness of bodily functions: They may show signs of awareness, such as squatting, making faces, or going to a specific spot when they need to go.
• Interest in the potty: If they show curiosity about the toilet or a desire to use it, it’s a good sign they’re ready.
• Ability to communicate needs: They can tell you when they need to go using words or gestures.
• Ability to follow simple instructions: They can follow basic directions like “sit on the potty” or “pull down your pants.”
• Discomfort with dirty nappies: They might show discomfort when their nappy is wet or soiled and may ask to be changed.

To start potty training, introduce your 23-month-old child to the potty and let them sit on it with their clothes on to get comfortable.

Gradually encourage them to use it without a nappy. Celebrate successes and remain patient with accidents. Creating a positive and supportive environment is key to successful potty training.

23-month-old baby weight and length

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At 23 months, your toddler continues to grow, although the rapid growth seen in the first year has slowed down. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) growth standards, here are the average weight and height ranges for 23-month-olds:

• Weight: The average weight for a 23-month-old girl is between 11.0 to 14.2 kilograms, while boys typically weigh between 11.3 to 14.8 kilograms.
• Height: Girls usually measure around 82 to 89 centimetres, and boys range from 83 to 90 centimetres tall.

These figures represent averages and can vary widely among other children. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are essential to ensure your toddler is growing healthily and to address any concerns about their growth patterns.

23-month-old feeding milestones

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As your 23-month-old toddler approaches their second birthday, their eating habits and nutritional needs continue to evolve. Here are some key feeding milestones for a 23-month-old.

• Self-feeding: By this age, many toddlers can use a spoon and fork, though they may still need occasional help. Encouraging them to eat independently supports their fine motor skills and self-confidence.
• Balanced diet: Aim to offer a variety of healthy foods from all food groups, including fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. This diversity ensures they get the essential nutrients needed for growth and development.
• Portion sizes: Typical portion sizes for a 23-month-old toddler include about ¾ to 1 cup of fruits and vegetables, 1.5 cups of grains, and four tablespoons of protein per day. Adjust portions based on your child’s appetite and nutritional needs.
• Milk intake: Limit milk consumption to about 2 to 3 cups per day to ensure your toddler has enough appetite for other nutrient-rich foods.
• Chewing and swallowing: As a 23-month-old, toddlers can chew a variety of textures and should be able to swallow without difficulty. Encourage them to try different types of food to develop their palate.

Tips for mealtimes

• Offer a variety of foods: Provide a range of foods at each meal to encourage your 23-month-old child to try new tastes and textures.
• Regular meal and snack times: Establishing a consistent meal and snack schedule helps regulate your toddler’s hunger and prevents overeating.
• Positive mealtime environment: Make mealtimes enjoyable and free from pressure. Encourage your 23-month-old child to eat, but avoid forcing them to finish their plate.

23-month-old sleep milestones

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At 23 months, your toddler’s sleep schedule and patterns are more predictable, though they may still experience some challenges.

Here are key aspects of their sleep schedule and tips (including how much sleep they need) to ensure they get adequate rest.

Total sleep: Toddlers at this age typically need around 12-14 hours of sleep in 24 hours. This includes approximately 10-12 hours of nighttime sleep and 1.5-2 hours of daytime sleep during a single nap. Regular sleep helps support their physical and cognitive development, so make sure to check their sleep schedule.

Bedtime routine: Establishing a consistent bedtime sleep routine is crucial for their sleep schedule and nighttime sleep. This can include calming activities, such as a warm bath, brushing teeth, changing into pyjamas, and reading a story. Consistency helps signal to your 23-month-old toddler that it’s time to wind down and prepare to fall asleep sleep. This is also a good time to start sleep training.

Nap time: At 23 months, most toddlers transition to one nap per daytime sleep, typically in the early afternoon. This afternoon nap usually lasts between 1.5 to 2 hours. Ensure the nap time is consistent daily to help regulate their sleep schedule.

Sleep environment: Create a sleep-friendly environment by keeping the room dark, cool, and quiet. A comfortable bed and a favourite blanket or stuffed animal can also help your 23-month-old toddler feel secure and ready for sleep.

Dealing with sleep regressions: Some 23-month-old toddlers may experience sleep regressions around this age, often due to developmental milestones or increased independence. Maintaining a consistent sleep routine and offering reassurance can help manage these temporary disruptions. Make sure their sleep schedule is flexible during these times – like trying an earlier bedtime.

Wake window: Toddlers generally need about 5-6 hours of awake time between sleep periods – called a wake window. This helps them balance activity and rest, ensuring they are tired enough to fall asleep easily but not overtired.

Additional behaviours at 23 months

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At 23 months, most children exhibit new and evolving behaviours that reflect their growing independence and cognitive skills. Here are some key behaviours you might observe.

• Exploratory play: Your 23-month-old toddler may show a heightened interest in exploring their environment, often through touch and manipulation. They might enjoy activities like stacking blocks, fitting shapes into corresponding holes, and other hands-on play.
• Problem-solving skills: Increased problem-solving abilities become evident as they tackle simple puzzles and attempt to figure out how things work.
• Attachment to comfort objects: Many 23-month-old toddlers develop a strong attachment to a favourite blanket, stuffed animal, or toy, using it for comfort and security – especially in new or stressful situations. This is similar to separation anxiety.
• Empathy and imitation: You may notice your 23-month-old child showing empathy by comforting others who are upset or imitating everyday adult activities, such as cooking or talking on the phone.
• Assertion of preferences: Expect more assertiveness in expressing likes and dislikes, from food preferences to choices in clothing and activities.

These behaviours highlight your 23-month-old toddler’s burgeoning independence and cognitive growth, reflecting their journey toward becoming a more self-sufficient and empathetic individual.

Development tips for your toddler this month

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Supporting your 23-month-old’s development involves providing opportunities for growth across various areas. Here are some tips to help nurture their physical, cognitive, and emotional development this month.

Encourage physical activity: Promote active play to develop motor skills. Activities like climbing, running, and ball games help improve coordination and balance (and are just great for your toddler’s health).

Stimulate creativity: Provide art supplies like crayons and paper to encourage drawing and creativity. Simple craft projects can also be fun and beneficial.

Language development: Engage in regular conversations with your 23-month-old toddler, read books together, and sing songs. This helps expand their vocabulary and improve communication skills.

Social interaction: Arrange playdates or attend toddler groups to help your 23-month-old child learn social skills like sharing and cooperation. Interaction with peers is crucial for social development and will help ease their separation anxiety.

Routine and structure: Maintain a consistent daily routine to provide a sense of security and stability. Regular meal times, naps, and bedtimes help regulate their day.

Problem-solving activities: Offer puzzles, shape sorters, and building blocks to encourage problem-solving and cognitive development. These activities help enhance their thinking skills.

Positive reinforcement: Praise your 23-month-old child’s efforts and accomplishments to boost their self-esteem and confidence. Positive reinforcement encourages them to continue trying new things.

Items you will need this month

As your 23-month-old continues to grow and develop, having the right items can make a significant difference in their daily life and activities. Here are some essential items to consider for this month.

• Developmental toys: Toys that enhance physical activity, cognitive skills, and creativity, such as stacking blocks, ride-on toys, and interactive books.
• Books: Engaging storybooks that encourage language development and a love for reading.
• Creative supplies: Art supplies like non-toxic crayons, washable markers, and large sheets of paper to foster creativity.
• Safety gear: Childproofing items like outlet covers, cabinet locks, and corner protectors to ensure a safe environment as your toddler explores.
• Outdoor essentials: Sunscreen, hats, and comfortable shoes for outdoor play and exploration.
• Feeding supplies: Toddler-friendly utensils, spill-proof cups, and divided plates to promote self-feeding and independence during meals.
• Clothing: Comfortable and easy-to-wear clothes your child can practice putting on and taking off alone.
• Sleep aids: A comfortable mattress, a favourite blanket, and a nightlight to create a cosy and secure sleep environment.
• Educational tools: Simple puzzles, shape sorters, and other toys that promote problem-solving and fine motor skills.

Sources

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University of Washington, Developmental Milestones Table, January 2016

Mayo Clinic, Potty Training: How to Get the Job Done, December 2021

WHO, Weight-for-age, n.d

WHO, Length/height-for-age, n.d