speech development!!

Devon - posted on 09/13/2009

As a mom, I've been very scared about what my Patrick does and says. He comes and goes with some words. My advice to all parents, as a behavioralist, is that people need to remember that they must expect words of children sometimes instead of expecting it to come naturally. I insist that my son says a word or an approximation of a word prior to getting a desired object (nana for banana, more for food, mmm for milk, etc.). It often comes that when parents respond to what they KNOW that their child wants rather than having the child ask for it in any appropriate manner, the kiddo will continue to think that screaming for milk is almost what's expected.

Leatha - posted on 09/13/2009

Every child is soo different! I have heard that one day your child will say one or two words and the next he will say about five more! My son says about 25 words and he is 15 1/2 months. He can say, Mamma, Mom, Dada, Papa, Up, Uppy,Down, Abajo, Leche, Agua, Doggy, Bowwow, Hi, Hey, Boobies, Tetas, Hola, Bye, Bye Bye, No, Si, A, B, C, D, and E, Three, Bellybutton, Eyes, Die?, WOW, Ut oh, and a few more random ones. He also is able to grunt and groan and point VERY well :) I reccomend the program your Baby Can Read and the Baby Einstein videas, Kamilo has been watching these since he was 1 month old and Me and My family NEVER talk baby talk to him.

Sharna - posted on 09/13/2009

My son has a few words like dada, mum, baby, nana (banana) , kaka (cookie), bot bot (bottle) he has said boobies and good boy once or twice, he meows and woofs when he sees cats n dogs...but thats about it...
I really dont like the idea of pressuring your child to talk. We always speak to him in adult speak, not baby talk and when I show him things I say what it is.
Every child is different and develop differently, but in the end they all catch up. Just enjoy being a mum and having great conversation and learning times with your child...thats all that really matters.

Cheryl - posted on 09/10/2009

As long as you are not concerned about a hearing problem, 15 months is too early to be overly concerned. Keep plugging away- everyone has had great ideas and tips. Talk in a normal tone and voice, sign language helps and will delay a tad but no permanent damage (we've used it on all three of our kids), encourage pointing or "show me" to avoid screaming.



My 4 1/2 year old son was what we thought of as a late talker. By 15 months he didn't say more than 5 words. But he had an older sister who said every thing FOR him!! We went through some speach development with him through Great Start or Early On (can't remember which) that was more encouragement for me than helpful for him. The big thing for him was getting his sister to let him answer (which she still struggles with) and encouraging him to tell us. I set aside some alone reading time with just he and I to work on expanding his vocabulary. He loved the Richard Scarry books. Now, you'd never guess he had been slow to talk- he'll jabber till the cows come home!!!

Tara - posted on 09/09/2009

My daughter is CRAZY chatty! and believe me, it doesn't mean she's any smarter or better than any baby who doesn't have an extensive vocab yet. They're babies! They learn at an individual pace, and they do this as they do everything else in their life.... THEIR WAY! :) Don't worry so much! I think it has to do with their personalities as much as anything. The little girl that I watch is a month younger than my daughter. Her vocab is right around average. I think the reason she doesn't talk as much as my blabbermouth is because she simply doesn't have as much to say! She's shy and she just doesn't have much desire to talk most of the time. So just relax, bc soon she'll be talking and then... oh the things she will say! haha

Alison - posted on 09/09/2009

I agree that 14 months is too soon to worry, as long as you are confident that there are no hearing problems. Also, is it possible that you are miscounting? She doesn't have to say a word properly for it to count as a word, as long as she is consistant. And everything counts: "uh-oh, ba-bye, oh no..."

Erin - posted on 09/07/2009

My son does not say many words either. However, he does seem to understand what we talk to him about. I wouldn't worry, yet. If you are still worried about it, talk to his doctor at his 1 1/2 year check-up.

Megan - posted on 09/07/2009

When do you start to worry? My son is saying Ball, Mommy, Daddy, Up, Dog, What's that, Who's that, No, Don't and Stop. But he favors sign language. I bought Your baby can read and I have noticed that he is recognizing with the words but rather than saying them he signs them. Does signing with your baby slow down the speech process? My cousin's daughter will be three next month and I can't understand a word she is saying sometimes I feel my son speaks better than she does. Does anyone know of any books that give a guideline for these things?

Janea - posted on 09/03/2009

all kids are different. What i did with mine (which are twins) I never talked to them like they were a baby I would talk to them like they were a kid. And it helped out alot! If she is jabbering on about something. Dont say huh (kind of an adult jabbering word) Ask her to repeat herself. Or say it again something along those lines. Since my kids are twins they do indeed have their own launage. and they teach other new words. So maybe you should let her spend more time around kids her age or a little older. But i wouldnt stress it to much, My nephew is almost two and barely says any words. It just depends on the kid.

Jennel - posted on 09/02/2009

My daughter is 15 months and she still does not say anyting she understands when you say get you ball or sock or take that to daddy bt she just does not say any thing she says sounds of anamals like moo and baaa but thats it i am getting a bit worried but think that at least she understands thats half the battle and also i never talked for a long time as a kid but only becouse my older sister talked for me. My dr is not consered, and when she points at things i give her the right word for it so i realy dont think there is much more i can do to help just wait and give it time i guess, so i guess that was no help to you take care.

Renee - posted on 08/25/2009

My son only has a handful of words he says. His favorites are Da-Da and What's dis. He also says Ma-ma (rarely), ni-ni (night night), ba-ba, E-E (kitty), and she (fishy). He understands a lot of words and can follow simple directions...pick up your ball, throw it in the garbage, get your shoes, etc. He loves to talk but it is 95% babble. My nephews didn't talk much at all until they were about 2 years old and all of a sudden their vocab just exploded. Now you can't get them to be quite!! Just keep encouraging her to talk, repeat words to her, when she points at something say the name of that object...that will become a game. I wouldn't be too worried as of yet. Give it time, each kid develops at their own pace.

Holly - posted on 08/25/2009

My 15 mo old only has about 6-8 actual words (dada, sissy, bubba, up, night-night, bye, hi, eye, mama) and she only uses them every now and then. But she babbles entire conversations all the time that are very animated with tone and inflection and even laughs at things she babbles. She is very vocal in that way and she understands alot, but just doesn't say real words much yet.

Alicia - posted on 08/17/2009

At my sons 15mo check up, doc said she would not expect more than about 5 words. Don't worry. It's like everything--it will happen at her own pace. My son likes to point and moan and it drives me nuts!! he has about 10 words but it has not helped since they are ball, fish, woof...not the most useful set! I taught him a few sign language signs and that has helped decrease the whining!! He signs "all done" "more" "please" and "book". Some people think this delays language b/c they don't need to talk but I am not worried. I always say the word over and over when he signs it and am fairly sure he'll talk up a storm before long!!

Pyppa - posted on 08/17/2009

thats so many!!!! i know she understands them but am so worried, your children seem to be alot more advanced than my daughter! i talk to her alot but she just seems to scream for things. will keep trying. thanks!! xx

Nicole - posted on 08/17/2009

Alaina also 15 months has a few words but she does not use them frequently but if you seem to be ignoring her she will. She says "up", dad, juice, eye, nose, no, backpack, quit, and eat, seldomly says mom but will. You shouldn't worry it will come. Keep talking to her.

Ruth - posted on 08/16/2009

I had the same worries 'cause my daughter was 13 months and she only said dadda and banana, but not anymore. My daughter is 14 month old now and just when she turned it she started to speak. It has been almost a month and she can say up to 30 words, Spanish and English. It is amazing..Everyday she has a new word. I recommend you to get the video my first sounds by Baby Einstein. My daughter loves it and repeats every sound. After watching this video she started to speak.And don't worry about it yet.

Gina - posted on 08/15/2009

My little girl is 15 months and still doesn't say much. She says mommy, daddy, and baby. That's about it. She tries to say things but those are the only words I know she truly says and understands the meaning of. I have been worrying about her speech development also. She understands much more than she says though. We use a lot of sign language now to communicate. So I am going to just wait until her 18 month check up t talk to her doctor. I think the more important thing is that they understand what you are saying than when they start to say the words. But maybe I am just telling myself that so I feel better! :)

Shelley - posted on 08/15/2009

emily has been very fast to talk and walk etc i think its all an individual thing to be honest