Need help with 16month old and speaking..

Kelly - posted on 03/07/2009

Quoting Jessica:

Need help with 16month old and speaking..

My son is 16months old and I am beginning to get alittle nervous. His doctor said not to worry and if he is still continuing this way at his next appointment we will talk about it then.. He only says a few words like mama, dada, hello, this and cheese. He seems to understand when you speak to him but I see so many kids younger then him and they speak so well. A million words and phrases. Is there anything I can do other then what I am doing to help him or any suggestions you can give me? I would greatly appreciate them!
Thanks- Jessica

My son is having the same problem.  He says ma and da, but not mama or dada.  It is just the first sylobol.  Our pedatrician recommended an ENT specialist at first but then I told him that I think Tyler has no problem hearing us.  So he recommended Early Intervention(it is by the NYS depatment of health, not sure what state you are in)  but they are coming on Saturday to evaluate Tyler and see if there is a problem. 

Haley - posted on 03/07/2009

My daughter didn't speak until she was over 24 months old.  No "mama" or "dada" or "uh oh" and it made me nervous.  My dr. even ran tests to see if she was hearing deficient.  One day she woke up and spoke in sentences and it was the best thing in the world!  She's 8 and hasn't stopped talking since.  Hang in there and communicate with your dr.

Natasha - posted on 03/07/2009

Hi Jessica,

I am in the same boat as you. Makes me nervous as well. My 16 month old boy says very little like mamma, dadda, hi, cheese and two and three. But he also seems to understand everything we point out to him. If we ask him to find something he usually has no problem at finding what we asked him to find... I just wanted to let you know you are not alone..and let me know if you find out any good info regarding this. I am sure they are both just taking their time and will be talking in no time. Good luck!!!

Allison - posted on 03/06/2009

Our daycare has started teaching some basic signs in the infant/toddler room and it was quite funny the first time my daughter was signing "all done" at the dinner table and I had no idea what she was trying to tell me... after that, I made sure that they told me what signs they had taught the kids so that I knew what my daughter was saying at home!! 

Alicia - posted on 03/05/2009

We thought my nephew was never going to talk. He is 2 and 1/2 now and just started talking. It was like he went from saying a few words one day to carrying on conversations the next. Now he has no problems talking. I think most kids just talk when they get ready. Do you have your baby around other kids? That might help.

Jill - posted on 03/05/2009

Go to this site. It has alot of basic words and has videos to show you how to do them correctly.

http://www.mybabycantalk.com/content/dic...

this is where i get all my signs from for my son. And just you using them daily when you ask him if he wants a drink, or is hungry, up, down, more, all done... literally in a day or 2 he will start doing them here and there. Then he will tell you when he wants something. Good luck!

Andrea - posted on 03/05/2009

my son also didnt have many words at his 16 month appointment and the doc. said not to worry. in the last month his vocab has just taken off. he has a ton of words all of a sudden. dont worry, just be paitent. he will work it out!

Joy - posted on 03/05/2009

Quoting Jessica:

Elizabeth, Can I get that baby signing times dvd anywhere or is just an online thing? I think that would be a pretty cool thing and try with him! I hate when my son wants something and sometimes i cant figure out what it is. I think he wants a cuz of water he throuws it! I owuld love to try that out! So if you could tell me where I can find it. I mean does basically every store carry it? Like a Target or Walmart or Babies R Us?

At Wal Mart, I got the Baby Einsteins "My First Signs" and I think it was like $15.  It's pretty cool.  They start out teaching Mama, Dada, simple words and then go up from there.  We don't watch the DVD that often but he and I have sorta worked out our own signs for a few things.  Like "all gone" is arms to the side, palms up.  "All finished" (done eating) he has palms down and waves his hands.  Thirsty, he makes a fist and taps his lips.  Hungry, he points to his belly with his right hand.  I think that's about all the ones he does so far.  Enough to where I can understand him sometimes.  The hard part is getting him to cooperate with me once he gets upset.  There are times where he has gotten "past the point of no return" and he won't sign anything so it's up to me to guess.  But if I can catch it early, he's pretty good about using his signs.  The main thing is that you have to make sure that when you use the words (even in everyday conversations) you have to do the signs too.  Even if you're just talking to Daddy or a friend....you need to get in the habit of signing because for your son to learn, he has to see you do it over and over again.  Good luck and have fun!

Jessica - posted on 03/05/2009

Elizabeth, Can I get that baby signing times dvd anywhere or is just an online thing? I think that would be a pretty cool thing and try with him! I hate when my son wants something and sometimes i cant figure out what it is. I think he wants a cuz of water he throuws it! I owuld love to try that out! So if you could tell me where I can find it. I mean does basically every store carry it? Like a Target or Walmart or Babies R Us?

Elizabeth - posted on 03/04/2009

I really wouldn't worry yet if the doctor isn't worried. He may be one of those kids who just starts speaking in sentences at 2 years old. We use the Baby Signing Times DVDs and my son signs much more than he speaks. Boys tend to be behind in language development, and I think the signing might actually delay their speech a little, but it is so nice to be able to know if he wants water or milk or juice. I think communicating, rather than speaking, is more important at this age.

Jessica - posted on 03/04/2009

my son has been walking for about 5 months now. Today I did try a few things, like couls you please bring mama your shoe and he did and can mama have your binkie and he brought it to me. I never really considered animal noises words which is pretty dumb of me..lol.. if i ask him to point the cow out in a book he will and he says moo, i also forgot about kitty and dog, i do understand what he is saying but he doesnt say alot of the correctly, i guess when you are just with him every single day you dont realize how much he actually does say until you really ask other people about it.. thank you very much for all your suggestions and comments. I really appreciate every single one of them! Thank you!

Joy - posted on 03/04/2009

Jessica,

Hi again!  I just read your other post about the pacifier. 

About the speaking?  My son is one day younger than yours and he also doesn't say very much.  Dada and uh oh are pretty much his entire vocabulary.  With the OCCASIONAL RARE Mama lol!  My doc says it's ok and that some kids don't speak until they are 2.  I was worried too because my friend's daughter who is a month younger, has a MUCH larger vocabulary.  But she just started walking, while my son has been walking since 10 months.  So no worries.  But talk it over with your doctor if you're really concerned.

Sarah - posted on 03/04/2009

My son is 16 months also and he only says dada, mama, hi, juice, cheese, and all done.  I too was worried and discussed it with my pedi -- she said the same thing, that it was okay and as long as he adds a few by his 18 month we're okay.  I have twin girls who are 4 1/2 now, but they were speaking in 2-3 word phrases by the time they were his age, so yes, there is a broad spectrum.  I'm going to see how he does over the next 3 months and go from there, but just try to always say the names of things when you talk to him!  Hope this helps and good luck!

Sarah

Nicole - posted on 03/04/2009

Does he walk yet? If so, when did he start walking? My daughter talks and repeats everything, and has been for some time, but she is 16 months and just began walking. My doctor said that one part of a baby's brain matures faster than the other...either they walk early and talk later or vice versa. It's not true for all babies, but that's the reason he gave me for my daughter not walking. She has been talking since around 6 months old, so i believe his theory. I wouldn't worry about the talking. My friend's baby is 16 months old also and he only says a handful of words. As long as he understands what you say to him, he will learn the words soon enough. best of luck!

Michelle - posted on 03/04/2009

I agree that you shouldn't really be worried, my 16 mth old daughter does say quiet a few words but only when she wants to.  Her first word was woof, she can say dog, i've heard her but she would perfer to bark when she sees a dog.  I also agree that understanding is more important than actually speaking, and I too have found that repition is a good way to go.  I am now working with my daughter on the abc's but we usually get to e and she's done, just keep at it and good luck.

Malinda - posted on 03/04/2009

Our pedi told us that the understanding is way more important than actually speaking words. I wouldn't worry about it at all - I think he's doing great with those words.



Isn't it funny what words they end up saying? I always envisioned "Dadda, Mamma, Ball" that sort of thing... my son's first word was "Meow" followed by "up" and "that." We didn't get Dadda and Mamma until fairly recently.

Niki - posted on 03/04/2009

My son is 16 months as well and he also says few words. He is very good with all his animal sounds and mama and dad. He also says DoDoDODorrraaaaa! I try to work on his vocabulary but it seems the more I try and teach him the more everything starts to sound the same. He is very smart and follows direction well. He can complete simple tasks when asked so I'm not too worried about his vocabulary. He is constantly making noise and chatting up a storm just none of which makes sense. 

SOunds like our boys are at the same stage. We spend a lot of time with other kids his age and I don't think there are many around here who have a vocabulary more extended than his. There are a few but I'd say he is right where he should be!! My doctor told me last week he is pluggin right along perfectly!!

Andrea - posted on 03/04/2009

My daughter says the exact same words with the addition of "juice". (She's 16 months old as well.) She understands what you say as well and can point to things when we ask her where it is. I think they're doing fine, our doctor isn't worried at all. I'm sure they'll start soon and then we'll want them to stop!

Autumn - posted on 03/04/2009

My monkey says not a word yet. He just babbles away.  I have an Early Learning Specialist that comes and checks on him once a month. He gets tested regularly on all growth aspects. At this time she has no worries. My other 3 boys already had a small vocabulary by age 1. Sign language is great idea and reduces their frustration at not being able to tell you what they want. I'm getting my older boys to use repeating over and over to hope he picks up something. I'm holding out for about 3 more months befor I start getting worried.

Jessica - posted on 03/04/2009

thank you very much! he does comprehend most things... you can tell he understands jsut sometimes acts like he is ignoring you but you can tell he understood! i also heard sign language is a great thing to do. it is becoming more and more popular! So thank you very much to the both of you! It just starts getting upsetting when people keep on saying why isnt he talking yet, he should be talking, i was never worried before until my mom and sister and my husbands family kept asking about it. I know he will learn on his own time, i just wanted to try and help him along with some new ideas, so thank you so much i really appreciate it!! =)



thank you

Jessica

Jill - posted on 03/04/2009

You cant really make him speak... we are in the exact same boat. But try sign language. We dont do a whole lot... but the few words and phrases that he knows are SO helpful. such as More and All Done....He wont say them, but he signs them. Im looking to expand his signing too until he starts yapping. lol

Crystal - posted on 03/04/2009

Hello Jessica :o) I have a five year old son and a 17 month old girl.  I've noticed a big difference in how she is learning compared to my son at her age.  My daughter has a large vocabulary at this age whereas my son only knew a few words.  Girls definatly take to speaking earlier then boys. BUT it's not so much how much they say at this age as how much they comprehend.  If he can follow directions like "can you get me your milk cup?" or "where is the book" small things like that then I wouldn't worry so much. I read to both of my kids everyday and instead of sticking to the story lines with my daughter I point out things in the books that she would know like the chair, apple, boy, ball, bear, moon, sun, etc.  Even when we go the stores it's good to point out things there.  At this age it's all about repetition.  I'm sure he will start talking soon and when he doesn you won't be able to get him shut up ... I hoped I helped,