Your baby’s developmental journey takes another exciting leap at 21 months as they continue to grow and learn at an impressive pace. At this stage, your little one is likely hitting some key 21-month-old milestones, from speech and language development to gaining more control over their movement. Along with these developmental milestones, it’s important to be mindful of your 21-month-old’s food and sleep needs and their daily routine. In this article, we’ll explore what to expect in terms of their feeding and sleep schedules and their overall development, along with helpful tips to keep your toddler healthy, happy, and safe.
By 21 months, your toddler is making significant strides in both physical and cognitive development. While every child develops at their own pace, there are some common developmental milestones for 21-month-olds that many parents and experts observe:
Your 21-month-old should continue to refine their coordination and large body movements. Here are some gross motor milestones at 21 months old:1
- Climbing up on an object, like a chair or stool, to reach something they want
- Walking and seldom falling
- Walking down the stairs while holding your hand or a railing
- Attempting to kick a large ball by moving their leg forward (they may start to accomplish this without holding anything for support)
- Running well and being able to stop without falling or bumping into something
- Walking up or down at least two steps by themselves, even if they must hold a railing
- May start being able to jump with both feet leaving the floor at the same time
As your child’s large muscles strengthen and coordinate, so do their small muscles and motor control. Here are some fine motor milestones at 21 months of age:1
- Making a mark on paper with the tip of a writing instrument when trying to draw
- Stacking three to six small blocks on top of each other independently
- Turning the pages of a book independently, even if it’s more than one page at a time
- Getting a spoon into their mouth right-side-up so that not much food spills
- Turning or screwing open jar lids, doorknobs, or twist toys with their hand
- May start flipping a switch on and off
- May start stringing smaller objects like dry macaroni or wooden beads onto a string or shoelace
Language and Communication
By 21 months old, your child may be able to say 15-50 words or more! Here are some other exciting communication and language 21-month-old milestones to look out for:1,2
- Imitating a two-word sentence
- Independently pointing to the correct picture when asked something like, “Where’s doggy?” or “Show me the ball”
- Correctly naming one or more familiar objects (like a cup, ball, hat, or dog) when you point to them and ask, “What’s this?”
- Being able to follow a one-step direction, such as “Grab your coat” or “Put the toy in the bin,” without you using gestures
- Stringing together two to three words with different ideas into short phrases, like “Want cookie” or “More juice”
- Correctly pointing to three to seven body parts (such as hair, eyes, feet, or ears) when asked where they are
- Beginning to use and understand pronouns, such as “me,” “I,” “mine,” and “you”
- Making animal sounds
- Requesting familiar foods by name
At this age, toddlers are learning to engage more with others, including imitating adult behaviors, showing affection, and playing simple pretend games. Here are some milestones in this domain to look out for:1
- Copying you when you complete tasks like wiping up a spill, shaving, sweeping, or brushing hair
- Feeding self with some spilling
- Attempting to eat with a fork
- Being able to drink from an open cup with limited spilling
- Pretending to take care of a stuffed animal or baby doll, such as feeding, rocking, and changing its diaper
Cognitive milestones represent learning, thinking, and problem-solving. Here are some markers that your 21-month-old’s cognition is developing on track:1,3
- Scribbling on paper using a writing instrument (without demonstration)
- Drawing a semi-straight line in any direction after watching you draw a vertical line from the top of a page to the bottom
- Imitating your gestures, like opening and closing your mouth, blinking your eyes, pulling on your earlobe, or patting your cheek
- Turning an object like a bottle, pencil, or spoon right-side-up if you hand it to them upside down
- Imitating you lining up two to four objects side by side
- Searching for a stool or chair to reach something
- May start holding an object in one hand while manipulating it with the other, such as holding a jar while twisting off the lid
- Starting to use switches, buttons, and knobs on a toy
- Incorporating multiple toys at one time into their play, such as placing play food on a play plate and perhaps “feeding” it to a doll
- Steering a small stroller or cart around objects and being able to back it out of corners if they can’t turn it around
All these milestones indicate that your child is on the right developmental path. However, keep in mind that there’s a wide range of “normal” when it comes to 21-month-old milestones, and you should always talk to your pediatrician if you have any developmental concerns regarding your child.
As your toddler grows, their appetite and eating habits will evolve. Between the ages of 1 and 2, your little one’s growth slows down compared to infancy. You might notice daily fluctuations in their appetite. Remember that what they eat over the course of a week is more important than what they consume in a single day.4,5
A 21-month-old typically eats three meals a day with one to two snacks in between. Nutritionally, their diet should include a balance of dairy, grains, fruits, vegetables, and meats. Their total daily calories should average 40 calories per inch of their height.5,6 Here’s a sample daily menu for your 21-month-old:
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast: 1 slice of wheat toast, 1 hard-boiled egg, and 1 cut-up pear
10:00 a.m.
Morning snack: Banana with peanut butter
12:00 p.m.
Lunch: Cooked carrots, strips of grilled chicken, cheese squares, and whole-grain crackers
3:00 p.m.
Afternoon snack: Yogurt pouch and berries
5:30 p.m.
Dinner: Grilled fish, mashed sweet potatoes, and peas
At 21 months, many toddlers may become pickier with food, and it’s common for them to be more interested in finger foods or simple meals. Stick to a routine and continue to offer less favored foods often and in new ways, even if they reject them. Eat alongside your child whenever possible to make mealtime a positive social experience.7 Also, encourage your child to feed themselves, as this helps develop their fine motor skills.1
Your 21-month-old’s sleep schedule has probably condensed from two naps to one nap per day by this point. At 21 months, toddlers typically need about 11-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, including both nap and nighttime sleep.8 This often breaks down into:
- Nighttime sleep: Your 21-month-old should sleep between 10 and 12 hours per night. Help them settle down with a straightforward and familiar bedtime routine, such as bathing, brushing their teeth, reading books, rocking in the chair, and going to bed.8
- Daytime nap: At 21 months, your toddler should have one daily nap in the early afternoon. It should last one to three hours.8 For my 21-month-old, I do an abbreviated version of our evening bedtime routine before her nap.
Many parents notice a 21-month sleep regression around this time. This can manifest as difficulties falling asleep, frequent night wakings, or nap resistance. New developmental milestones, changes in routine, bad dreams, teething pain, or separation anxiety may trigger the regression. If your toddler is going through a sleep regression, stick to a consistent bedtime routine, limit their screen time (especially before bed), and try to be patient and reassuring as they work through this phase.8
Fitting meals, snacks, and naps into a comprehensive daily schedule can be confusing and overwhelming for parents of toddlers! However, a consistent daily schedule helps create a sense of security for your toddler and supports their physical and emotional well-being.9 Here’s a sample daily schedule for a 21-month-old:
7:00 a.m.
Wake up and get dressed
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:00 a.m.
Outdoor walk
9:00 a.m.
Storytime
10:00 a.m.
Morning snack
10:30 a.m.
Art or craft time
11:15 a.m.
Free play
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Naptime
3:00 p.m.
Afternoon snack
3:30 p.m.
Outdoor play
4:30 p.m.
Music and dancing
5:30 p.m.
Dinner
6:30 p.m.
Bath time
7:00 p.m.
Books, songs, prayers, and snuggles
7:30 p.m.
Bedtime
Of course, you can adjust this schedule to fit your family’s needs. Just remember that consistency is key to helping your 21-month-old feel secure and rested.9
While your 21-month-old is reaching new milestones, there are also a few health concerns to keep in mind. If you’re concerned about any of these issues or your child’s overall health, it’s always a good idea to consult your pediatrician for guidance. Common issues at this stage include:
Many 21-month-olds are still cutting their molars, which can cause discomfort. Signs of teething include interrupted sleep, increased crankiness, gnawing on hard objects, excessive drooling, red or swollen gums, and decreased appetite. To soothe their aching gums, offer your 21-month-old a frozen wet washcloth to chew on, feed them soft and cold foods like applesauce, and keep their face dry to prevent drool rash. Don’t give numbing medications to children this young, and avoid teething necklaces that pose a risk for strangulation.10
With increased social interactions at daycare or playdates, your toddler may be exposed to more germs. Keep an eye out for signs of colds, fevers, ear infections, or stomach bugs. Wash your and your child’s hands frequently, dispose of dirty diapers properly, ensure your child’s immunizations are up to date, and avoid exposure to obviously sick people when possible. If you have any health concerns, contact your child’s pediatrician.11
Separation anxiety, tantrums, and defiance can all be normal parts of your toddler’s emotional development. However, if tantrums frequently last longer than 10 minutes or any of these issues interfere with your normal daily routine and activities, reach out to your child’s doctor. Your pediatrician can refer you to the appropriate therapist or psychologist if any of these concerns require treatment.12
At 21 months, toddlers are full of energy and curiosity. Encouraging creative, physical, and cognitive play is important for their development and can help them reach their 21-month milestones.1,13 Here are a few fun and educational activities for your toddler:
- Building blocks: Encourage fine motor skills by letting your child stack blocks or build towers with large wooden blocks or building bricks.13,17
- Pretend play: Offer dolls, toy animals, or toy kitchen sets to promote imaginative play.18 You can also pretend that you and your child are animals in different settings, such as a farm, ocean, or jungle. Practice making animal noises — and abandon all self-consciousness — to make this playtime silly and fun!
- Art and crafts: Let them color with crayons or do simple activities like sticker placement to enhance their fine motor skills.13
- Outdoor play: Activities like running, kicking a ball, climbing on a playground, or playing in a sandbox are great for gross motor development.1,13
- Follow the leader: Act as the leader and instruct your little one to mimic your activities and movements. This game will encourage direction-following, imitation, and gross and fine motor development through different motions and instructions.13
For parents of toddlers, some days fly by while others drag along. Having a repertoire of activities to pull out on rainy days or when things get boring can help keep you and your child engaged! Many kids at this age love repetition, so try to remember that when your child asks you to read the same book for the 20th time that day. 😉
As your 21-month-old becomes more mobile and independent, safety is more important than ever. Consider these tips to keep your child safe:
Keep the following out of reach to prevent injuries or poisoning:14
- Sharp objects
- Choking hazards
- Strangulation risks like cords for window blinds
- Dangerous substances like cleaning products
In addition, secure heavy furniture to the walls to prevent tipping, and install baby gates at the top and bottom of any staircases.14
Always supervise your child during outdoor activities, especially if they’re running or climbing. A watchful eye and quick intervention can prevent falls and keep your child from chasing a ball or wandering into the street. (Also, teach them to never walk into the street without accompaniment!) Be extra vigilant when around water, and ensure there’s always at least one grown-up watching your child and within arm’s reach. Come indoors when it’s raining or thundering, and never let them eat unfamiliar plants or substances found outside. Lastly, always have your child wear a helmet and safety gear when riding a bike or scooter.15
Make sure your toddler is properly secured in an appropriate (and correctly installed) car seat. Have them stay rear-facing for as long as allowed by their specific car seat, and keep them in a car seat until age 5-7 when they outgrow it. Don’t put your child in their car seat in their winter coat, as it can be too bulky for the straps to secure them properly. It can also cause overheating.16
At 21 months old, your child is likely reaching key developmental milestones, including language development, motor skills, and socialization. This is an exciting stage of growth, but it also comes with new challenges, such as navigating the 21-month sleep regression and managing more unpredictable eating habits. Keeping a consistent 21-month-old sleep schedule, establishing healthy feeding routines, and ensuring safety during daily activities will support your toddler’s development. With the right care and attention, your little one will continue to thrive!
