Week-by-week library · 16 months old
Month 16
Quick answer
What is my baby up to at 16 months old?
This month, feeding a stuffed animal a pretend snack might be the day's main event.
What's developing
Cognition
Simple pretend play, feeding a doll, pretending to talk on a toy phone, often begins to emerge around now.
Motor
Stacking two or more blocks and climbing curiosity (stairs, low furniture) are common.
Communication
Vocabulary often falls somewhere in a wide range for toddlers this age, anywhere from a handful of words to dozens, both are typical.
Try this together this week
- Model simple pretend play (feeding a stuffed animal, rocking a doll to sleep) and see if it gets picked up.
- Practice stairs together, hand-held, if stairs are part of your home.
- Add new words during play by naming actions, not just objects ("up," "more," "open").
- Offer a shape sorter or simple puzzle for problem-solving practice.
What parents often notice
The jump from a handful of words to a much longer list often happens in a burst rather than a steady climb, which can feel sudden after a slower stretch.
Sourced to
- Zero to Three, Early Development guides
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org
Last reviewed by the This Week Baby editorial team.