Social
Social milestones for your 12-to-18-month-old
By 12–18 months, most toddlers point to share interest, follow your gaze, imitate everyday actions, enjoy give-and-take games like peekaboo, show affection, and seek you for comfort. These are guides, not deadlines. Mention it at your next visit if, by 18 months, your child rarely shares attention, doesn't point or respond to their name, or has lost an earlier skill.
The first year of words is also the first year of friendships — your toddler is learning that other people are interesting, responsive and fun.
In short
Between 12 and 18 months, most toddlers begin to share attention, copy what you do, and seek you out for comfort and play. Expect more pointing to show you things, simple back-and-forth games, and clear delight in familiar people. These are guides, not deadlines — children arrive on slightly different timelines.Social milestones to look for
Sharing and connecting (ICF d7 · interpersonal interactions)- Points or shows you objects simply to share interest, not just to ask
- Looks where you point and follows your gaze
- Brings toys to you and enjoys your reaction
- Comes to you for comfort, and checks back when unsure ("social referencing")
Playing and copying
- Imitates everyday actions — clapping, waving bye-bye, stirring a cup
- Enjoys give-and-take games like peekaboo or rolling a ball
- Shows affection — hugs, leans in, smiles at familiar faces
- May show simple early pretend, like holding a phone to the ear
When to have a friendly check
Mention it at your next visit if, by 18 months, your child rarely makes eye contact, doesn't point or show things to share, doesn't respond to their name, or seems uninterested in people around them — especially if any earlier skill has faded. A gentle developmental check is reassuring far more often than not.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. If you'd like a closer look, our behaviour therapy team supports social connection through play-based, everyday routines.Trusted sources
Guided by the WHO ICF chapter on interpersonal interactions (d7), and developmental-milestone guidance from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.Next step — to understand your toddler's social strengths, book a developmental screen on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.
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
By 18 months: no pointing or showing to share interest, little eye contact, no response to name, or loss of a previously gained social skill — worth a gentle developmental check.
Try this at home
Play peekaboo and 'give-and-take' with a ball or toy every day — pause and wait for your toddler to take a turn. These tiny back-and-forth moments build the foundation of social connection.
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
Should my 12-to-18-month-old be pointing?
Yes — between 12 and 18 months most toddlers begin pointing to show you things they find interesting, and following your point. If pointing and shared attention haven't appeared by 18 months, it's worth a friendly developmental check.
Is it normal for my toddler to be shy with strangers?
Very much so. Wariness of unfamiliar people and a strong preference for familiar carers are healthy, expected parts of social development at this age. What matters is warmth and connection with the people your child knows well.
My toddler doesn't share toys — is that a problem?
No. Genuine sharing and turn-taking develop much later. At 12–18 months, look instead for bringing you a toy to show, enjoying back-and-forth games, and checking back to you — these are the social building blocks.