Speech for Oct 2009 babies (or early Nov babies)

Alison - posted on 12/14/2010

my maternal and child health nurse expects on average a child should have 10-15 words by 18mths, so I wouldn't worry too much. They sound like they comprehend a lot and are at least saying words already

Allyson - posted on 12/08/2010

I also have wondered about my daughter's speech. At this point, I think it's developmentally normal to have a better receptive language than expressive language. What I mean is that the children should have a larger vocabulary understanding than they can express verbally. If your children point and (semi) consistently use the same sound combinations to indicate a given object or phrase, then their vocabulary understanding receptively (receiving) is fine. It will take longer for the understood words to be expressed verbally. At this point, my daughter is speaking in gibberish and I listen for her trying different sound combinations and using inflection/different tones in her speech. She might sound loud, fast, and stern one minute and then try out slow, high pitched noises. Look for nonverbal forms of communication. Do they imitate adult forms of hand gesturing, tilting their heads, nodding, etc?

These are my thoughts as a first time mother. My thoughts are purely from observing my girl and reading various research on speech development for this age. This is my first post, even though I've read Oct. 2009 Moms postings since she was born!

Sarah - posted on 12/06/2010

Hi! I am a speech therapist and it sounds like your girls are doing just fine. Each child is different, and they are not expected to say their first "true" word until 12 months anyway.

Danielle - posted on 12/04/2010

It sounds like the girls are right on track. Now remember they happen to be different which is why they prefer different ways to commuciate. My oldest son spoke from early age until he regressed, my second son signed until 2 almost 3 years old then finally started talking. He talks just fine now. My daughter 14 months does both very well signs and talks.

Jessica - posted on 12/02/2010

My 13 month old daughter says: hi, more, baby, mama, dada, mmmmm (when eating), hot, bath, teeth, book (her first word), and mamaw (grandma)... She understands a lot more than she says though.. so I am sure they are on track. Every baby develops differently. And it's great that they are signing!

Melissa - posted on 12/02/2010

You twins are right on target. My daughter is only saying dada and hi. She understands a lot, but doesn't speak at all. TONS of babbling. When I talked to the dr., they said it was really that they start to understand and babble. Sounds like your daughters are doing great - especially since they can sign, are trying words and understand things :) Keep up the great work!

Tracy - posted on 11/27/2010

Thanks ladies! I might check in again in a few months to see how things are going at that time. Take care.

Stephanie - posted on 11/27/2010

My daughter doesnt say a lot either, will try and copy and has a few words she will copy, but often its a one off. She can say no, cat, dog, ted, momma when upset, my daddy, when shes been told off. She points to things ands say 'wha da'. She understands really well, can fetch things when asked. If i say bath or bed time, she goes to the bottom of the stairs. She can point to her nose, head and mouth, but cant do ears and eyes yet. She know the actions to pat a cake, round and round the garden, row row your boat and twinkle twimkle. She loves getting books out, turning the pages and babbling like shes reading. My friends son who is a month older, can say more words, but doesnt have the same level of understanding as my daughter.

Sharon - posted on 11/26/2010

My son is hardly saying anything, but babbles along all the time and tries to have conversations with us. He understands things we say, so the dr wasn't too concerned due to his constant babbling.

Leslie - posted on 11/25/2010

sounds to me like they are right on track! When mine had her 1 year check up, the DR. was more concerned if she understood what I said to her....rather than how many words she could say. For example, if I said "where's your ball?" would she understand and look around? She did mention that it was normal to have about 10 -20 single words at this point, but that mostly they still just chatter and babble....or mimic what you say. Often my daughter will "repeat" something I've said......meaning the words do not come out clear at all....but I can detect the same rhythm and tone that I used. She can also do some animal sounds. I haven't tried the signing thing yet..... I don't know if I have left it too late to give it a try. She's starting to do that grunting thing now when she is frustrated about communicating. perhaps it would help.

Mare - posted on 11/25/2010

Ive never attempted to teach my daughter sign language.. but vocaly she is doing good, more of the simple things, stop it ; mom ; dad ; nana ; papa ; kitty ; hi ; bye ; yum ( for food ) ; .. and most of what i say to her she understands.. I am having difficulties trying to show her where her body parts are.. she seems to think her ear is her nose ! lol

Anika - posted on 11/24/2010

oh and she can say no. How could I forget that one! No. No. No. No. No. At nothing. LOL

Anika - posted on 11/24/2010

Yup Tracy, they sound perfectly normal :)
My daughter can sign more, finished and cat. My husband reckons he's seen eat but I haven't.
She can say mumma, dadda, hello, bye and moo clearly and has part words for dog, duck, book and woof. She is very good with animals and can pick out when asked a cow, lion, sheep, penguin, dog, duck, cat and pig.