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22 Month Old: Talking in Pairs and Playing Pretend

Sarah Riffle
Medically reviewed by
Sarah Riffle, RN Aug 19, 2026

Quick Facts

Age22 months
Length~79–92 cm (WHO range, ~22 months)
Weight~8.8–15.0 kg (WHO range, ~22 months)
Daily Sleep~11–14 hours (usually 1 nap + nights)
MilkWhole cow’s milk or toddler formula, up to ~500 mL/day
Iron~7 mg a day (1–3 years)

Length and weight are the WHO 3rd–97th percentile range (both sexes) from the WHO Growth Charts for Canada. Your provider tracks your toddler’s own growth on these charts.

Key Takeaways

Two-word phrases. A 22 month old often starts combining words — "more juice," "big dog" — a skill the CPS lists among the 24-month milestones.
Rich pretend play. Make-believe is getting more elaborate; join in and follow the story.
Independence and testing. A strong will, "no," and the odd meltdown are normal and healthy.

Your Toddler at 22 Months Old

A 22 month old is often combining two words, playing make-believe, running and climbing, building toward the Canadian Paediatric Society’s 24-month milestones. Toddlers eat a variety of family foods, need about 7 mg of iron a day, and take whole cow’s milk or a toddler formula up to about 500 mL a day, from a cup. Total sleep is around 11–14 hours, usually on one nap.

Your 22 month old is putting words together and putting on shows — narrating pretend play, stringing two words into little requests, and copying everyone around them. Independence is strong, and so are the feelings.

This guide covers what’s normal this month: the growing phrases and pretend play, toddler feeding, and sleep and routines.

22 Month Old Development: Milestones & Growth

At 22 months, most toddlers are building toward the milestones the Canadian Paediatric Society lists at 24 months.

Gross Motor

A 22 month old runs, climbs into and down from chairs, and may walk up and down stairs with help, building toward the 24-month skills the Canadian Paediatric Society lists (including kicking or throwing a ball). Give safe space and active play.

Fine Motor

A 22 month old builds a small block tower, scribbles, uses a spoon well, and works on simple shape-matching, building toward a 4-block tower and puzzles by 24 months, per the Canadian Paediatric Society. Offer blocks, crayons and chunky puzzles.

Social & Language

A 22 month old often puts two words together, copies adults and other children, plays alongside others, shows increasing independence, and enjoys make-believe, per the Canadian Paediatric Society’s 24-month milestones. Join the pretend play, expand on your toddler’s phrases, and read together.

Your Life This Month: The Parent Experience

Two-word phrases open up a new level of connection — your toddler can tell you a bit more of what they want and feel. Expand on what they say ("Yes, a big dog! A fluffy brown dog.") to grow language naturally.

Strong feelings and a strong will are par for the course. Simple choices, consistent limits and calm follow-through help more than reasoning mid-meltdown. Reconnect afterward; that’s where the learning sticks.

Parenting a toddler is a lot. If you’re feeling low, anxious or worn down, your doctor or public health nurse can help — please reach out.

What to Do This Month

DEVELOPMENT & PLAY

  • Join and extend pretend play; offer props like dolls, toy kitchens and cars.
  • Provide blocks, crayons and chunky puzzles, and read together daily.
  • Expand on your toddler’s two-word phrases and name feelings.

FEEDING

  • Offer a variety of family foods in safe textures; keep iron-rich foods coming toward the ~7 mg daily need for 1–3 years.
  • Keep milk (whole cow’s milk or toddler formula) to about 500 mL a day, in a cup.
  • Offer water with meals and snacks; continue vitamin D for breastfed and partly breastfed toddlers.

SAFETY

  • Supervise near stairs, streets and playground equipment now that your toddler runs and climbs.
  • Keep hazards and choking-risk foods out of reach, and keep furniture anchored.

Feeding Your 22 Month Old

At 22 months, your toddler eats a range of family foods and drinks from a cup. Appetites swing day to day — offer healthy options at regular meals and snacks and let your toddler decide how much. Iron still matters: toddlers 1 to 3 years need about 7 mg a day, per the Canadian Paediatric Society, so keep iron-rich foods in the rotation, paired with vitamin C.

Keep milk — whole cow’s milk (3.25%) or a toddler formula — to no more than about 500 mL a day, the Canadian Paediatric Society advises, so it doesn’t crowd out food or lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Continue a daily 400 IU vitamin D supplement for breastfed and partly breastfed children.

A note on formula this month. Whole cow’s milk or a toddler formula can be your toddler’s milk. If you choose formula, MOF’s organic HiPP Dutch Stage 3 is a toddler formula for 12 months and up, iron-fortified to provide iron, DHA and vitamin D alongside meals. Keep total milk to about 500 mL a day so it doesn’t crowd out iron-rich foods. Go with what works for your family.

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Sleep at 22 Months: What’s Normal & How to Help

A 22 month old usually sleeps around 11 to 14 hours over a 24-hour period, per the Canadian Paediatric Society, typically on one afternoon nap. Bedtime fears or resistance can appear as imagination grows — reassurance and routine help.

Keep the bedtime routine steady, wind down about half an hour before bed with stories or quiet play, keep the room dim and cozy, and be gentle but firm if your toddler protests. Avoid late-afternoon naps, don’t ignore bedtime fears, and offer a comfort item, which is often important at this age.

Safe sleep reminder: place your child on a firm, flat sleep surface, and follow current local safe-sleep guidance for their age.

When to Contact Your Doctor or Public Health Nurse

Contact your doctor or public health nurse if you notice:

  • A high fever or your child seeming very unwell.
  • Your child is eating very poorly, drinking far less than usual, or isn’t growing as expected.
  • Signs of possible iron deficiency the CPS describes — pale skin, poor appetite, low energy or slow weight gain (too much milk is a common cause).
  • Your child isn’t walking, isn’t using any words, or seems behind in more than one area — the Canadian Paediatric Society advises speaking with your doctor.
  • Your child has lost a skill they previously had.
  • Any concern about your child’s development, feeding or your own wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a 22 month old be doing?

A 22 month old usually runs, climbs, stacks blocks, uses a spoon, often puts two words together, and enjoys make-believe and playing alongside other children, building toward the Canadian Paediatric Society’s 24-month milestones. Every child develops at their own pace; raise concerns, especially in more than one area, with your doctor.

When do toddlers start using two-word phrases?

Combining two words (like "more juice") is a skill the Canadian Paediatric Society lists among the 24-month milestones, and many toddlers start in the months before their second birthday. Single words and understanding come first. Expanding on your toddler’s words and reading together help. If your toddler isn’t using single words, raise it with your doctor.

How much should a 22 month old eat and drink?

Offer a variety of family foods at regular meals and snacks, with iron-rich foods still important (about 7 mg iron a day for 1–3 years), per the Canadian Paediatric Society. Keep milk to about 500 mL a day, in a cup, and offer water with meals. Let your toddler decide how much to eat — appetites swing normally. Avoid choking-risk foods and added salt and sugar.

My 22 month old has new bedtime fears — is that normal?

It can be, as imagination grows. The Canadian Paediatric Society advises not ignoring bedtime fears — reassure and comfort your child, keep a calm routine, and consider a small night light or comfort object. If fears are intense or persistent, or sleep is badly disrupted, talk to your doctor.

How much sleep does a 22 month old need?

A 22 month old usually sleeps around 11 to 14 hours over a 24-hour period, per the Canadian Paediatric Society, typically on one afternoon nap. A consistent bedtime routine, a calm wind-down, and avoiding late naps all help. A comfort item like a blanket or stuffed animal is often welcome.

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Sources & References

This content is for information and does not replace personal medical advice from your doctor or public health nurse.