What is a skill that develops around 18 months?

At around 18 months, children typically demonstrate the ability to hold and use utensils, which is an important milestone in their fine motor development. This skill marks the beginning of self-feeding and encourages greater independence during mealtime. As toddlers practice holding utensils, they enhance their grip strength and coordination, which are vital for later skills such as writing and drawing.

In contrast, other skills, although developing around this age, may not be fully mastered. Tossing a ball, for instance, usually progresses in the months before or after 18 months but isn’t a defining skill for this specific age. Balancing on one foot tends to emerge later, often around age 2 or 3 when children have greater stability and strength. Stacking blocks to the level of 6-7 typically appears around 2 years of age, as toddlers refine their hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.

Thus, the ability to hold utensils best reflects the developmental milestones expected at 18 months.