Toddler Milestones - What You Need to Know - Motherly
×

Toddler Milestones

From their first steps to their first words, we’ll help you celebrate your toddler’s developmental milestones with expert-backed guides and resources.

Credit: @rockinremi via TikTok

Meet the toddler keeping perfect rhythm and singing in pitch—before he can even speak in full sentences

Seasoned musicians have chimed in, marveling at his rhythm, control, and melodic accuracy. Some have even called him a prodigy.

Updated Jun. 13, 2025
Toddler with an Allen wrench

Mom lets her toddler play quietly—what she finds in his room leaves her speechless

Bolts. Crib slats. Absolute disassembly. It’s giving Tool Time meets IKEA After Dark. The only thing missing is a tiny hard hat.

Updated May. 02, 2025
Olivia Munn

Olivia Munn’s 3-year-old walked a mile in just his socks—and every toddler parent will feel this

The actor and mom of two took to Instagram to share a wildly relatable meltdown moment that started with a sunny stroll through New York City.

Updated Apr. 24, 2025
baby talk

15-month-old Annie is already crushing job interviews, according to the internet

In a quick-fire Q&A with her mom, Annie answers a series of questions with surprising confidence for her age.

Updated Apr. 16, 2025
Toddler

Toddler grabs the Swiffer and straps in his baby—what he does next has the internet cheering

This viral video is more than just cute content. It’s a joyful, messy, mop-wielding reminder that boys need space to practice caregiving, too.

Updated Apr. 02, 2025
Toddler

Toddler hears his dad call him ‘best friend’—his emotional response has us in tears

The toddler, caught in the powerful moment, blinks back tears. So do we. And, apparently, so do millions of others.

Updated Apr. 01, 2025
Toddler comforting mom

14-month-old sees his mom crying—what he does next will melt your heart

A 14-month-old toddler sees his mother crying, pauses, and then reaches out to hug her.

Updated Mar. 25, 2025
Ms. Rachel Potty Training

Ms. Rachel shares three “Ps” for potty training: Practice, Patience and Play!

Learning to use the potty is an important milestone for children and a very personal one that’s different for every child and their family.

Updated Jan. 15, 2025
Toddler word mixup

Why do toddlers mix up their words? The explanation is too sweet

From calling Rice Krispie treats "raspberry Christmas trees" to identifying a peppermint as a "hippo," their creative word associations often feel like riddles waiting to be solved.

Updated Dec. 10, 2024
mom hugging child at home - how to potty train the montessori way potty training

8 Montessori-inspired phrases to use for each stage of potty training

The Montessori approach to potty training is SO much less stressful—and encourages your child's growing independence.

Updated Aug. 06, 2024
mom hugging child- first day of preschool

Separation anxiety: How my toddler (finally) adjusted to preschool

I am suddenly acutely aware of how fast he is growing up.

Updated Feb. 06, 2024
mom helping her child with Toddler language development

5 everyday opportunities to teach your toddler to talk 

If you’re struggling to find structured time to teach your little one to communicate–and eventually say their magical first words—the good news is that you don’t have to abide by any rigid schedule.

Updated Jan. 31, 2023
TIKTOK portable potty training kit

This TikTok ‘mobile changing station’ is a potty training game-changer

You'll never feel like you're being held hostage by potty training EVER AGAIN.

Updated Jul. 14, 2022
children graduating from preschool- preschool graduation

Preschool graduation is a bittersweet milestone

Sometimes, even the happy moments can bring us to tears because we are so invested in each phase of our child’s life.

Updated Jun. 03, 2024
kids' preschool graduation

I wasn’t prepared for the emotions of watching my child graduate preschool

If there’s anything that motherhood has taught me, it’s that what they say about blinking is really true. The next milestones and changes and seasons of parenting come before you are ready for them to. 

Updated Jun. 05, 2024
woman reading book - parenting books for toddlers

10 books for parenting toddlers that you need on your shelf for this big phase

From meltdowns to methods for potty training, toddler parenting requires all hands on deck and all the help you can get.

Updated Jan. 19, 2023
×