# How can I support social development in my 18-to-24-month-old?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-social-development-in-my-18-to-24-month-old
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Support an 18-to-24-month-old's social development through warm, face-to-face play: follow their lead, play back-and-forth turn-taking games, name feelings, encourage pretend play, and offer gentle time near other children. Parallel play is typical at this age. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

*Between 18 and 24 months, your toddler is learning the beautiful first rules of being with people — and you are their favourite teacher.*

## In short
You support social development at this age by being warm, playful and present — turning everyday moments into back-and-forth connection. Toddlers this age learn to share attention, copy you, take simple turns, play near other children and begin to read feelings. The most powerful tool you have is unhurried, face-to-face interaction during play, meals and daily routines — no special equipment needed.

## Ways to nurture social skills every day
- **Follow their lead in play.** Get down to their level, join what *they* are interested in, and add a little — narrate it, copy them, then pause and wait for their response. This turn-taking is the heart of social learning.
- **Play simple back-and-forth games.** Peek-a-boo, rolling a ball to and fro, "so big!", and gentle chase teach the rhythm of *my turn, your turn* — the foundation of conversation and friendship.
- **Name feelings, theirs and others'.** "You look happy!", "That little one is sad." Toddlers this age start to notice and respond to emotions, and your words give them the map.
- **Encourage pretend play.** Feeding a doll, talking on a toy phone, stirring a pretend cup — imaginative play this age signals growing social imagination.
- **Offer gentle time near other children.** They mostly play *beside* rather than *with* others (parallel play) — that is exactly right for now. Watching, copying and brief sharing all count.
- **Use shared attention.** Point things out together — "Look, a dog!" — and notice if they point to share interest with you, look between you and the object, and bring things to show you.

## What's typical around 18–24 months
Toddlers this age usually enjoy showing you things, copy household actions, play simple turn-taking games, may have tantrums (a normal sign of big feelings with small words), and show clear attachment to familiar carers. Social skills vary widely between children, and lots of warm interaction is the best support there is.

If by around 24 months your child rarely makes eye contact, doesn't point to share interest, doesn't copy you, shows little interest in other people, or has lost social skills they once had, it's worth a friendly developmental check — not a cause for alarm, simply a chance to support them early.

## The Pinnacle way
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed **only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care**. If you'd like reassurance or a clearer picture of how your toddler is growing, our team can help. Explore how we [support children and families](/) , learn what a [clinician-administered AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) involves, and read about [early developmental therapy](/early-intervention-therapy) built around play.

## Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." developmental milestones for 18 and 24 months; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) guidance on toddler social and emotional development; WHO Nurturing Care Framework on responsive caregiving and early play.

**Next step —** Want a warm, reassuring check of how your toddler is developing? [Book a developmental check with a Pinnacle clinician](/early-intervention-therapy).

## Sources
- CDC milestones for 2-year-olds: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP HealthyChildren – toddler development: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/default.aspx
- WHO Nurturing Care Framework: https://nurturing-care.org/

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Ages & Stages: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/ages
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Toddler-18-24: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler-18-24
- Social: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/social
- Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Behaviour Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/behaviour-therapy
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Recognise signs & concerns
- Is My 18-to-24-Month-Old Developing Normally in Social Skills?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-developing-normally-in-social
- Social milestones for an 18-to-24-month-old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-social-milestones-should-a-18-to-24-month-old-reach
- Signs of social delay in an 18-to-24-month-old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-signs-of-social-delay-in-a-18-to-24-month-old
- Is My 18-to-24-Month-Old Developing Normally in Adaptive Skills?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-developing-normally-in-adaptive
- Is My 18–24 Month Old Developing Normally in Thinking?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-developing-normally-in-cognitive
- 18–24 Month Communication Development: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-developing-normally-in-communication
- Is My 18-to-24-Month-Old Developing Normally in Emotion?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-developing-normally-in-emotional
- Motor Development at 18–24 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-developing-normally-in-motor
- Sensory Development at 18–24 Months: Is It Normal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-developing-normally-in-sensory
- Is my 18-to-24-month-old on track developmentally?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-on-track-developmentally
- What adaptive milestones should an 18-to-24-month-old reach?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-adaptive-milestones-should-a-18-to-24-month-old-reach
- Signs of adaptive delay in an 18-to-24-month-old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-signs-of-adaptive-delay-in-a-18-to-24-month-old

### Explore therapy & support
- How to Support Social Development in a 12-to-18-Month-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-social-development-in-my-12-to-18-month-old
- What activities support a 18-to-24-month-old's development?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-activities-support-a-18-to-24-month-old-s-development
- Supporting cognitive development at 18–24 months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-cognitive-development-in-my-18-to-24-month-old
- How can I support adaptive development in my 18-to-24-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-adaptive-development-in-my-18-to-24-month-old
- How can I support communication development in my 18-to-24-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-communication-development-in-my-18-to-24-month-old
- How can I support emotional development in my 18-to-24-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-emotional-development-in-my-18-to-24-month-old
- How can I support motor development in my 18-to-24-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-motor-development-in-my-18-to-24-month-old
- How can I support sensory development in my 18-to-24-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-sensory-development-in-my-18-to-24-month-old
- How much screen time is safe for a 18-to-24-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-much-screen-time-is-safe-for-a-18-to-24-month-old
- 18–24 Month Movement & Walking Milestones: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-moving-and-walking-as-expected-for-their-age
- Is my 18-to-24-month-old talking as expected for their age?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-my-18-to-24-month-old-talking-as-expected-for-their-age
- Should I get my 18-to-24-month-old assessed for development?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-get-my-18-to-24-month-old-assessed-for-development

### At home & in everyday life
- How can I support my child's Social development?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-my-child-s-social