problem solving
What it means if your toddler isn't problem-solving yet
Problem-solving in toddlers — finding hidden toys, fitting shapes, working out how to reach things — grows gradually between 12 and 36 months, with a wide healthy range. If your child seems behind, it usually means more time and play will help, not that something is wrong. A gentle developmental check is wise when problem-solving lags alongside talking, play or motor skills, because early support works best.
When your toddler tips out a box to find a toy or pushes a chair to reach something, that's their growing mind learning to solve problems — and it unfolds at its own pace.
In short
Problem-solving in toddlers means figuring out simple goals — finding a hidden toy, fitting a shape, stacking, or working out how to reach something. These skills grow gradually between 12 and 36 months, and there is a wide, healthy range of "normal". If your child seems behind, it usually means they simply need more time, play and chances to explore — not that something is wrong. A gentle developmental check is wise when problem-solving lags alongside other areas like talking, play or motor skills.What problem-solving looks like at this age
This skill blooms in small, everyday steps. By around these ages you may notice:- 12–18 months — exploring how things work, banging or shaking objects, finding a toy partly hidden under a cloth, beginning to use one object on another (a spoon, a brush).
- 18–24 months — simple shape sorters, stacking 2–4 blocks, copying you with a play phone or stirring a pot, trying different ways to get a toy that's out of reach.
- 24–36 months — completing simple puzzles, sorting by shape or colour, pretend play with a sequence (feed dolly, then put to bed), working out a small obstacle by trial and error.
Gentle flags that make a calm check worthwhile: little interest in exploring how toys work, not searching for a hidden object by around 18 months, very limited pretend play, or problem-solving that lags together with delays in talking, understanding, social connection or movement.
The science
Problem-solving sits at the heart of early thinking — it grows from secure relationships, rich play and the freedom to explore and make small "mistakes". Toddlers learn cause-and-effect by repetition, so the surest support is everyday play, not pressure. When several areas lag together, an early, structured screen helps tell apart "needs more time" from "needs a little support" — and early support works beautifully at this age.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our clinicians watch how your child explores and reasons in play, and shape support around their strengths. You can read more about problem solving and how our occupational therapy team nurtures it through guided play.Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs, Act Early" developmental milestones for thinking and play in toddlers; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) guidance on cognitive development and developmental monitoring; the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) problem-solving domain used in routine screening.Next step — Trust what you notice day to day. Book a developmental screen with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear picture of your child's problem-solving and milestones.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Seek a calm developmental check if your toddler shows little interest in exploring how toys work, isn't searching for a hidden object by around 18 months, has very limited pretend play, or if problem-solving lags together with delays in talking, understanding, social connection or movement.
Try this at home
Play simple "where did it go?" games — hide a favourite toy under a cloth and let your child find it. Offer stacking cups, shape sorters and pretend play, and pause before helping so they get a moment to try working it out themselves.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
At what age should my toddler start solving simple problems?
Problem-solving grows in small steps from about 12 months — exploring how things work and finding partly hidden toys — towards simple puzzles, shape sorters and pretend play by 24–36 months. There is a wide healthy range, so some toddlers reach each step a little earlier or later.
Is it serious if my toddler isn't problem-solving as well as other children?
Usually not. Many toddlers simply need more time, play and chances to explore. It becomes worth a gentle developmental check when problem-solving lags alongside other areas like talking, understanding, social connection or movement.
How can I help my toddler's problem-solving at home?
Play cause-and-effect and hide-and-find games, offer stacking toys and shape sorters, and pause before stepping in so your child gets a moment to try. Everyday play and repetition matter far more than pressure or formal teaching.