Copying other children: how the skill grows from 12 to 30 months
Copying other children means watching other children and doing what they do, like tipping a box of toys out after another child does. Copying is often a toddler's first way of joining in.
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Copying other children: the ladder, step by step
Pick the step that looks most like your child today. The next step and activities that practise it appear below.
No step picked yet. There is no wrong answer: pick the closest one.
Next step: Copies a big move. Jumps or claps after another child does.
Activities that fit this step
- Playground Copycat Watch · 13–24 months · 10–20 min
- Two-Basket Copy Playdate · 14–24 months · 5–15 min
- Big Kid Leads the Mirror Dance · 18–30 months · 5–10 min
Next step: Copies with toys. Fills a bucket with sand after watching the child beside them.
Activities that fit this step
- Playground Copycat Watch · 13–24 months · 10–20 min
- Two-Basket Copy Playdate · 14–24 months · 5–15 min
- Big Kid Leads the Mirror Dance · 18–30 months · 5–10 min
Next step: Copies across a room. Walks over to try the toy another child is using in the same way.
Activities that fit this step
- Two-Basket Copy Playdate · 14–24 months · 5–15 min
- Big Kid Leads the Mirror Dance · 18–30 months · 5–10 min
- Side-by-Side Sandbox Scoops · 19–30 months · 10–20 min
Next step: Copies then adds. Copies a game and adds their own twist, like a new noise.
Activities that fit this step
- Two-Basket Copy Playdate · 14–24 months · 5–15 min
- Big Kid Leads the Mirror Dance · 18–30 months · 5–10 min
- Side-by-Side Sandbox Scoops · 19–30 months · 10–20 min
Top of the ladder (copies then adds). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Two-Basket Copy Playdate · 14–24 months · 5–15 min
- Big Kid Leads the Mirror Dance · 18–30 months · 5–10 min
- Side-by-Side Sandbox Scoops · 19–30 months · 10–20 min
The copying other children ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 12 to 30 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
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Watches children
Stops playing to stare at older children nearby.
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Copies a big move
Jumps or claps after another child does.
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Copies with toys
Fills a bucket with sand after watching the child beside them.
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Copies across a room
Walks over to try the toy another child is using in the same way.
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Copies then adds
Copies a game and adds their own twist, like a new noise.
When copying other children usually shows up
Copying other children while playing is a CDC 15-month milestone. How much a child copies grows with the time they spend around other children, such as siblings, cousins or playgroups.
This page follows copying other children from 12 to 30 months, a window that spans the 12-month, 15-month, 18-month, 24-month and 30-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 4 activities practise copying other children (3 as their main skill), for ages 13 to 30 months. Each needs a few minutes of setup. By age, they sit closest to steps 2 and 4 of the 5-step ladder.
Related items appear on the CDC checklists for 15 months.
Related milestones
CDC checklist items (paraphrased) that involve copying other children. Checklists are for monitoring, not a test.
| Checklist | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 15 months | Copies what other children do in play, such as tipping toys out of a box after another child does. |
Activities that practise copying other children
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 4 social-emotional. Quickest to start: Big Kid Leads the Mirror Dance (5–10 minutes).
Step 2: Copies a big move
Step 4: Copies across a room
Skills practised alongside
The activities for copying other children most often also work on playing alongside others (3), action songs (1), imitating actions (1), posting objects (1) and pouring (1). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Visit playgrounds, libraries or playgroups where children of different ages play.
- Comment on what the other child is doing: "She's filling the bucket."
- Bring two of the same toy to a playdate so copying does not mean taking.
What to avoid
- Pushing your child into a group; watching from your lap counts.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
If by 15 months your child shows no interest in watching or copying other children, or in copying you, bring it up with the pediatrician.
Worried about copying other children between visits? Call the pediatrician; CDC's free resources also explain how to contact your local Early Intervention program directly. Milestones are for monitoring, not diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When do toddlers start copying other children?
Copying other children while playing is a CDC 15-month milestone. How much a child copies grows with the time they spend around other children, such as siblings, cousins or playgroups. The first step to look for: stops playing to stare at older children nearby.
How can I help my toddler with copying other children?
Visit playgrounds, libraries or playgroups where children of different ages play. Comment on what the other child is doing: "She's filling the bucket." A good first activity is Playground Copycat Watch (13–24 months).
What should I avoid when practising copying other children?
Pushing your child into a group; watching from your lap counts.
When should I mention copying other children to the pediatrician?
If by 15 months your child shows no interest in watching or copying other children, or in copying you, bring it up with the pediatrician. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.