Child Development at 15 Months

Posture & Large Movements

• Walks unevenly with feet wide apart, arms slightly flexed and held above head or at shoulder level to balance.
• Starts alone, but frequently stopped by falling or bumping into furniture.
• Lets himself down from standing to sitting by collapsing backwards with bump, or occasionally by falling forward on hands and then back to sitting.
• Can get to feet alone.
• Crawls upstairs.
• Kneels unaided or with slight support on floor and in pram, cot and bath.
• May be able to stoop to pick up toys from floor.

Vision & Fine Movements

• Picks up string, small sweets and crumbs neatly between thumb and finger.
• Builds tower of two cubes after demonstration.
• Grasps crayon and imitates scribble after demonstration.
• Looks with interest at pictures in book and pats page.
• Follows with eyes path of cube or small toy swept vigorously from table.
• Watches small toy pulled across floor up to 12 feet.
• Points imperiously to objects he wishes to be given.
• Stands at window and watches events outside intently for several minutes.
• Watches and retrieves rolling balls of 21/8 inches at 10 feet.

Hearing & Speech

• Jabbers loudly and freely, using wide range of inflections and phonetic units.
• Speaks 2–6 recognisable words and understands many more.
• Vocalises wishes and needs at table. Points to familiar persons, animals, toys, etc., when requested.
• Understands and obeys simple commands (eg. Shut the door, give me the ball, get your shoes).
• Baby test 41/2–6 feet.

Social Behaviour & Play

• Holds cup when adult gives and takes back.
• Holds spoon, brings it to mouth and licks it, but cannot prevent its turning over.
• Chews well
• Helps more constructively with dressing.
• Indicates when he has wet pants.
• Pushes large wheeled toy with handle on level ground.
• Seldom takes toy to mouth.
• Repeatedly casts objects to floor in play or rejection, usually without watching fall.
• Physically restless and intensely curious.
• Handles everything within reach. Emotionally labile.
• Closely dependent upon adult’s reassuring presence.
• Needs constant supervision to protect child from dangers of extended exploration and exploitation of environment.

Source: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No 102. HMSO 1960, revised 1975.