# Is it normal that my toddler is not yet showing support? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-support Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited Between 12 and 36 months, toddlers vary widely in how and when skills emerge, including 'support' skills like bearing weight, standing with help, or seeking comfort and help from you. A broad range is normal. Seek a gentle developmental check if a skill is clearly behind peers, has stalled or gone backwards, or several areas seem delayed together. This is not a diagnosis — it means early observation is wise, because early support works best. *The word "support" can mean many things in early development — and noticing what your toddler is or isn't doing yet is thoughtful, loving parenting.* ## In short Between 12 and 36 months, toddlers vary hugely in how and when skills emerge — including "support" skills like bearing weight, sitting or standing with support, or seeking and accepting your help and comfort. A wide range is completely normal at this age. The time to seek a gentle developmental check is when a skill is clearly lagging behind same-age peers, when progress has stalled or gone backwards, or when several areas — movement, talking, social connection — seem behind together. None of this is a diagnosis; it simply means a clinician's calm look is wise now, because early support works beautifully at this age. ## What to watch at 12–36 months Most toddlers reach physical and social "support" milestones along their own timeline. Gentle flags worth a clinician's eye include: - **Not bearing weight or pulling to stand** — by around 12–15 months, most toddlers push up and bear weight on their legs with support. - **No supported sitting or standing** — difficulty holding posture even when helped. - **Floppy or very stiff muscle tone** — limbs that feel unusually loose or tight. - **Not seeking comfort or help** — by 18–24 months, toddlers usually look to you for reassurance and reach for support when upset. - **Travelling with other differences** — few words, little eye contact, not responding to their name, or loss of a skill once had. - **Going backwards** — losing a skill they previously showed always deserves prompt review. The aim isn't alarm — it's turning small questions into early opportunities. ## When to act If a skill is clearly behind, has stalled, or comes with delays in other areas, arrange a developmental check now rather than waiting. Trust your instinct — what you see every day is valuable clinical information. ## The Pinnacle way A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our clinicians build their own picture of your child's strengths and shape [support](/support) around play. Our [physiotherapy](/physiotherapy) and [occupational therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/best-occupational-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) teams can help with posture, movement and confident independence. ## Trusted sources CDC developmental milestones and "Learn the Signs, Act Early" resources; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) guidance on developmental monitoring in toddlers; WHO Nurturing Care framework for early childhood development. **Next step —** Trust what you've noticed. [Book a developmental assessment](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of your toddler's milestones. This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. ## Sources - CDC: Developmental Milestones & Act Early: 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 - Skills: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/skills - Parent / Family: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Toddler: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler - Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity - Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/ability/support - Family Environment Scale: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/assessment/fes - English: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/language/en - SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/sdg/3 - support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/skill/support - ASHA / PHC / Frontline: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/asha_phc - Therapist / Clinician: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/therapist ## Related question paths ### Recognise signs & concerns - Is it normal that my toddler is not yet showing adaptive skills?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-adaptive-skills - Is It Normal My Toddler Isn't Showing Certain Characteristics Yet?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-child-characteristics - Is it normal that my child is not yet showing support?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-support - What does a delay in Support mean for my child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-a-delay-in-support-mean-for-my-child - Is it normal that my toddler is not yet showing motor skills?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-motor-skills - Could difficulty with support be a sign of a developmental delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/could-difficulty-with-support-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay - When should a child support their own weight?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-support - What does it mean if my child is not yet showing support?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-support - What signs suggest my toddler may need extra support?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-support - When Do Children Usually Support Themselves?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-do-children-usually-support - If a child isn't yet seeking support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-support - Support: classroom milestone expectations for teachers: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-support-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class ### Understand assessment - My child is in the green zone for support — what does that mean?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-support-what-does-that-mean - How a clinician assesses and tracks a child's support skill: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-clinician-assess-and-track-a-child-s-progress-in-learning-to-support ### Explore therapy & support - What therapy helps a child learn to support?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-support - How a teacher can support a child working on a skill: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-support - Techniques to help a child develop the ability to support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-therapist-what-techniques-help-a-child-develop-the-ability-to-support - How a teacher can support a student still learning to seek support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-support - How should a therapist prioritise a child in the amber zone for support?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-support ### At home & in everyday life - How can I help my child learn to support at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-my-child-with-learn-to-support-at-home - What is one Everyday Therapy activity to help my child with support?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-support - Helping Your Child Practise Support in Everyday Routines: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-support-during-everyday-routines