1 year old and only saying 4 words - is it normal?

Wendy - posted on 01/22/2011

My son doesn't say any words yet, he's just started saying "dadada". I'm not overly concerned. They all progress at their own rate.

Mary - posted on 01/21/2011

My daughter talks pretty consistently, but most of it makes no sense. We know she is smart and she knows what is going on, she just doesn't have the actual words down that well yet. We get mama repeatedly and baba and dada and hey. However, there is no real consistency to when she'll say the words she says. She makes a lot of sounds, but just like her walking she tries to mske sense when she thinks we're not paying attention. All babies learn at their own pace. Our doctor says no TV, it stunts learning. But my daughter loves Playhouse Disney shows. I think certain shows on TV help kids learn words and sounds.

Cydnie - posted on 01/21/2011

I have twin girls who will be 1 on the 27th, sometimes the things that they say seem accidental. There are a few things in their speech that we hear often, but I think that it is fine that your son doesn't say much. I have come in contact with other children much older and I can hardly understand what they are saying. Children just develop at different rates. Your son will be fine. I think that when you are speaking to him, though, you just want to make sure you are speaking to him clearly and you make be able to coach him a little. For example, repeating a word several times and getting him to repeat it. Practice with him. It took a little time with my niece and nephew. They knew things one day and forgot the next, so they had to be re-taught. My nephew is getting back, but my niece speaks very well now. Maybe a little too well. lol.

Anna - posted on 01/18/2011

My son just turned a year old as well and only says a few actual words that I recognize (Mama, Dada and Kiki for our kitty). However he TALKS all day long. He is very good at telling me what he needs or wants, even if he doesn't have the vocabulary for it. I think as long as your son's cognitive abilities are on par with where the should be for his age, the words will follow. But of course your pediatrician can always check things out if you're truly concerned.

Kassi - posted on 01/17/2011

My daughter will be a year old in a little more than a week and she says NOTHING with any consistency. She's said like 50 words a handful of times and she'll talk when she gets mad, but most of the time she communicates with pointing, tapping your arm or waving. If you ignore her nonverbal words, she'll say "Hey!" or "Mama" . I think every kid develops speech at their own rate. As long as he's saying a few words and he's communicating a little he's probably fine. If you're really worried about it, you can check with your Dr. Good luck!

Chelle - posted on 01/16/2011

All children develop at different stages and rates. It's probally normal, Khemani only says mama, dada, bra bra and he shakes his head no.

ALISHA - posted on 01/15/2011

My oldest was the same as yours... having conversations and speaking with sentences at one. My second and third sons both waited until two to talk much and then were counting to ten out of nowhere! It's like they were taking everything in before they said much. Looks like the twins are going to be the same way... they only say like 3 words and will be one in a few weeks. Don't worry too much... Jacob is my second son and he didn't talk until he was two and now he is such a smart cookie... in kindergarten and adding all the way up to 12s and counting to almost 1000... reading... etc. Smart cookie. I think they all develop in their own time.

Sara - posted on 01/13/2011

Every baby is different. Some say more words than others. My daughter only says a couple of words. Although she dont talk alot she does other things that other kids arent doing. My nephew didnt really talk till he was 2 either. They jjust do things when they are ready. He prob can say many more words than he is letting you know. They are much more smarter than we know, they just dont want us to know that they can!

Leah - posted on 01/12/2011

Sounds completely normal to me. Check out kidshealth.org for info on speech development. My son only says a few words that are not very clear, but he's developing normally. I have a friend whose son didn't say his first word until close to 2 years old. He's 4 now and talking very well. They're all different!