Toddler Milestones

The following information is to be used as a guide to and at the discretion of the end-user and should not replace a doctor’s opinion.

Growing children

Children grow and learn at their own pace. It is normal for your child to be ahead in one area, but behind in another.  Learning what is normal for each age group can help you feel comfortable with where your child is at and spot any problems early on.

Milestones: age 2

Milestones for age 2 include:

• Walking by themselves; this usually takes place between 9-17 months with the average being 14 months
• Running: about 6 months after learning to walk
• Climbing stairs and onto furniture
• Kicking a ball
• Ability to scribble with crayons, pencils or markers
• Imaginative or make-believe play
• Communication includes using real words by 15-18 months and simple phrases by 18-24 months

Milestones: age 3

Milestones for age 3 include:

• Improved balance: can stand on one foot for a short time, can petal a tricycle and can walk upstairs without holding the railing
• All baby teeth have come through
• Potty trained during the day
• 20/30 vision
• Communication includes increased vocabulary (hundreds of words), uses short sentences, uses plurals and pronouns and asks many questions
• Can dress self with exception of laces, buttons, etc.
• Knows their name, age and gender
• Learns to share

Milestones: age 4

Milestones for age 4 include:

• Hops on one foot well
• Throws a ball overhand well
• Uses scissors to cut out a picture
• Communication includes increased vocabulary (thousands of words), uses longer sentences, uses past tense and asks even more questions than ever
• Learns simple songs
• Starting to understand time better

Milestones: age 5

Milestones for age 5 include:

• 20/20 vision
• Increased coordination: skipping, jumping and hopping well
• Learning to use writing utensils well
• Communications includes increased vocabulary (over 2000 words), uses sentences with 5 or more words and uses all parts of speech
• Knows the primary colours
• Learning to understand math
• Learning to behave with more responsibility and less aggression

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Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Bonitas has been in the medical aid industry for over 40 years and has a solid understanding of the private healthcare industry in South Africa. Our team is always looking at innovative ways to ensure our members get affordable, quality healthcare … throughout their life stages. As the Medical Aid for South Africa, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all, so our wide range of plans – that are simple and easy to understand – ensure that you and your family will find a snug fit for your particular needs.

For 2025 we have a renewed Female Health Programme:In collaboration with CareWorks, it’s accessible to all female members aged 18 and above, with an emphasis on preventative care and early detection of female-specific health issues. In addition, we have an enhanced Maternity Programme to support expecting mothers. This includes early identification of and weekly engagement for high-risk pregnancies, post-childbirth care and associated mental health follow-up calls for new mums, given the prevalence of pre and postnatal depression. Also, milestone reminders for children under 3 and cover for antenatal vitamins through savings, day-to-day benefits or the Benefit Booster


Bonitas Medical Fund
0860 002 108
View Website: www.bonitas.co.za

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