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.