2 year old daughter not talking yet.

Lisa - posted on 05/14/2011

Mine is 2.5 and is still not speaking sentences either, every one is different. It seems like she understands me well, but she's only speaking a few words....and not very clearly. I got a hold of Soonerstart, which is funded by the state of Oklahoma and they have a service provider who now comes to our house twice a month and works with my daughter to gain more speech. You might see what your state or district has available to you and rule out any learning or mental disabilities. Hopefully she'll be out of her shell and talking in no time. Then it'll be "2 year old daughter not shutting up!" LOL Good luck to ya! :)

Lisa - posted on 05/13/2011

Oh, not to worry. My daughter didn't talk until about a week after her 2nd birthday. Now I cant get her to keep quiet for 2 seconds. lol. It just might be her disposition. My Beth is not shy, but she is a quiet observer. She watches, listens and doesn't say anything unless she has something to say... outside the home. She's a very serious child. At home with her sister, she is a complete blabber mouth.

Our pediatrician suggested speech therapy when we were concerned about her not speaking, but I just let her progress on her own. I wouldn't worry. Take advantagge of the silence while you can. ha ha Just. kidding. I hope this helps.

Julie - posted on 05/12/2011

Your daughter is who she is ... PLEASE do not compare her to others.
Do not talk baby talk to her - use complete sentences and soon enough she will be copying you -

Leslie - posted on 05/12/2011

Our speech therapist has recommended the Signing Times. I have found it on PBS on Sat mornings. She has said kids pick up words faster with signs. Flashcards, flashcards, flashcards. Exaggerate two and three word sentences. Red lipstick also draws their attention to the lips. Never hesitate to get as much speech therapy as you can get your hands on.

Vicky - posted on 05/11/2011

My son is 2 years old and the same is going on with him..except he doesn't even speak a ton of words! He's got maybe 10 words yet understands everything I say to him. I brought it up with his pediatrician who suggested he get tested by the Early Intervention program in my area. They actually came by today (Speech Language pathologist, a teacher, and someone to help me fill out the tons of forms and ask me questions about my son). They just check out his motor and sensor skills..they will write up a report and send it to his pediatrician. he is also seeing an audiologist next month just to rule out any hearing problems. He has been gettig a lot of ear infections the past 4 months so that may also have something to do with the speech delay. If I were you I would get all this done just to rule it out or if there is a problem..the sooner you know the better prepared you will be.

Reisha - posted on 05/11/2011

there is no need to be concern.........after all she is talking.........some kids take a little longer than others, to make a sentence.........trust me when she starts you will be wishing she shuts her mouth!!!!

Miranda - posted on 05/10/2011

My son will be 2 June 3rd. He is doing the same. I had him evaluated by a speech theropest. They wanted him to get a hearing test. He did the hearing test. It came back fine. He has to have speech 2 times a month. He is starting to talk more and more now. He still babbles alot. i wouldnt worry to much about it. She will start talking when she is ready.They have programs where a speech theropest will come to your house and do an eval to see if she needs help with her speech and its free. If you are to concerned then you could look into something like that. I was with my son and they said that he would start talking on his own.

Kristin Marth - posted on 05/10/2011

Not at all! Every child is different and learns at different speeds. My son was 2 and was not speaking much at all (very very few words) and everyone told me to have patience because all of a sudden he would start talking. Well the doctor told us to put him speech therapy, which did not do any good at all. It was basically a play date for him. He learned some signs and got better about using them, but overall I was teaching him most everything (we took him out after 3 months). Long story short, and $2000 later, he started talking all of a sudden, just like everyone said...on his own time. Now he doesn't stop! :-) Honestly, I would be more concerned if they were not talking by the age of 3. If they show no other signs of delayed development or interactiveness, then do not let anyone tell you what is normal and what is not.

Patricia - posted on 05/10/2011

Get her around a variety of other children especially some a little older. Sometimes they have a talking explosion where it seems a switch went on and you won't even remember when she wasn't talking but I have found that they learn talking much quicker from other children.

Helen - posted on 05/10/2011

I wouldn't be.

Language starts with understanding, then single words followed by 2 & 3 word phrases, gradually building to 'adult' sentences. Or at least thats what usually happens!

Our son is 27 months, and knows about 30 words, but isn't really putting them together yet, and although the health visitor will keep an eye on him because he was a bit behind at his 2 year check (was only saying about 15 words at that point, so shows how fast these things change), but I'm not concerned because he understands whats said to him, usually follows instructions/requests, 'talks' constantly, is growing his vocabulary, and is constantly busy working out how things work etc so is developing in other areas first (he's currently doing jigsaws labelled as age 3+).

Remember that despite all the charts and lists that say what babies/ children should be doing and when, they don't read these things and continue to do things in their own time and in the order they feel like doing things, and each and every one is different and will do things differently to their friends and relatives.
Relax and enjoy the baby sounds - she'll start talking 'properly' soon enough, and then you'll be wishing she had a volume control :)

Janessa - posted on 05/09/2011

No, I wouldn't be. My almost 2 year old is about the same, and my 3 1/2 year old was the same way too at that age and now he speaks in very complete sentences, it surprises me how well he speaks now. Pronunciation on some sounds is still a little off, but he'll get there. My first was the only one that spoke a lot more at an earlier age. They all just develop differently. I think a good rule of thumb is are they progressing without extra help, than they are probably fine.

Susan - posted on 05/09/2011

My daughter was the same at that age. At her 2 year appointment I mentioned to the doctor that she didn't have any phrases yet, although she did have a lot of single words. He said to give it until 2.5 and then if she still wasn't speaking phrases to have her evaluated. Probably in about 2 weeks she started a few phrases and hasn't shut up since :) Everyone else had good advice to keep talking in phrases and encouraging her to speak that way. My daughter could say "more", "milk" and "please" but would never put them together. Every time she would want more milk, we would practice that phrase. That's just an example, but think of other situations where you know she knows all the words, she just doesn't use them together and practice it.

Jacquie - posted on 05/09/2011

I took My son to a Speech Therapist, but it wasnt working all that great.....But i then put him in daycare and after a month he was talking soo much, hes been there for a year now and its been so great, he has learned so much

Nicola - posted on 05/09/2011

I wouldn't be too concerned just yet. My son is 2 years and 4 months and only uses certain words. He understands everything you say to him. I was worried at first but then I heard some kids don't tlak until they are 3! All children are different and develop at their own pace

Tracy - posted on 05/08/2011

absolutely not!!! Do not be concerned at all. I have two girls aged 3 and 4 and they progressed at different stages. Every child is different... My youngest was saying loads of words just like yours but did not start talking in sentences until she was about 2.5yrs old and now you cannot keep her quiet haha.... You will be surprise at how much they actually learn just by watching and listening to dvd's and adult peoples conversations, they soak so much information up with everyday things it's amazing... and when THEY are ready, they will start talking when they think the time is right.

Heather - posted on 05/08/2011

Two year olds Don't speak in sentences yet. That will come with time. Try getting her to say two word phrases! "Juice please. Thank you Mama. Things like that. Give her a little more time...

Kim - posted on 05/04/2011

You know, Albert Einstein himself didn't speak until he was three. Which I thought was interesting with all the Baby Einstein videos that have been made :) My son just turned 2 and still doesn't speak audible sentences. He still tells stories in a language that sounds very similar to Chinese! But I'm not concerned, nor am I pressured to get him to speech therapy because he [literally] refuses to speak. He knows all the letters in the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes so I figure he can speak at his own rate because I know he's smart and he hears me just fine. He just needs time and my patience (and maybe your little pumpkin does too!).

Susan - posted on 05/04/2011

I have 2 kids. My daughter who is now 6 started talking full blown sentences at 12mos old. My son on the other hand, which is now 3yrs old, didn't speak a full sentence till just about 6 mos ago. He, like your child, could say every word under the sun, but not a full sentence. Literally, withing just a couple of months, he started blurting out sentences. Just be patient. They say those who don't speak are simply focusing on other things and quietly absorbing information in their little minds. I know it's easier said than done, but enjoy the baby babble. It will be gone soon!

Traci - posted on 05/04/2011

I learned from my situation that it never hurts to go above and beyond. I almost didn't get her hearing tested because she never acted as if she couldn't hear. It wasn't a requirement, just a suggestion. I can only imagine how delayed her speech would be if I hadn't had that done! I now see how much better she responds, looks at us and is a less grumpy child (the fluid must have caused irritation). It will be a long journey...I can see that. But they were impressed that I got her in before she turned 2. I'm a teacher so I've always been a little paranoid.

Jennifer - posted on 05/04/2011

Traci--glad that someone had the smarts to suggest that to you! Might be a good thing for Louise to look into?

Traci - posted on 05/04/2011

My now 2 year old was saying nothing but 3 words so I took her to an early intervention program to get her tested. Before being assessed they suggested I get her hearing tested. I'm glad I did. She had significant hearing loss due to undiagnosed fluid in her ears. She never had any earaches so this was a shock. She now has tubes and is getting speech therapy.

Jennifer - posted on 05/04/2011

Louise, do you and her father refer to yourselves a lot? If she can say juice and shoes....I'm quite sure she could say mommy and daddy, especially daddy, it's one of the easiest things for them to repeat as babies. Like, when she hands you something, say, a book, do you say something like, "Wow! Is this book for MOM-MY?" etc. Just an example. And the speech therapy thing is not a bad thing. I know what you must feel like because my 5 year old was put in it in Kindergarten because for some odd reason she started mixing up her sounds. I.E. she used to SAY "go" but it turned into "doh." That's just one example. She says "go" again now lol. She talks A LOT now (which I'm still trying to decide whether that's a good thing ahhaahhaa it's getting her to be QUIET that's the trick!) and sometimes makes me laugh at how perfect she can say her sentences when she isn't being lazy. Don't worry--this doesn't mean you somehow failed your child. I was devastated at first that she wasn't doing so well when she entered school, having a hard time adjusting (she didn't go to preschool) etc. and had done my best to teach her things so that she would be ahead of her class(things the school was saying she didn't know! and I told her teacher, "No, she knows _(whatever it was)_") and then it was one thing after another. I put myself aside and signed the papers anyway because I figured if this was going to help my child I would not stand in the way. I'm glad I did! (: But they don't tell you how to make them stop haha!

Jennifer - posted on 05/04/2011

No. My oldest daughter (now 5) with the exception of when she was an infant and sometimes you couldn't help but coo back once or twice lol was always spoken to the way I speak to every one else. From my experience, children often understand a lot more than we realize, and like yours, she understood a LOT, but didn't say all that much. She knew a lot of names for things and the biggest sentences I can recall back then were, "Thank you" (one of her first words were "please," her first sentence "thank you") "I love you," and either "Juice, please." OR she might have been saying please may I have juice BUT that's only because I would word for word make her repeat it until she strung it completely together on her own. Other than that, she would tell me things like she wanted to eat and such, but as I recall she still did baby babble quite a bit still. She entered Kindergarten last August and was talking much more, but NOW it's ridiculous--I can't get her to be quiet lol. I would suggest, if you want to try get her to speak in sentences, maybe just trying to build her sentences for her, start with simple ones, repeat them often to her. When she says juice, say, "juice, please?" hand it back, tell her "thank you." When it's raining, say, "It's raining." My 19 month old told me was rainging the other day, funniest thing in the world! She speaks a LOT more than her sister did at this age, though, and every child is different! I'm working on the "Please may I have juice?" sentence with her. She doesn't get the juice until she repeats it (she's a stubborn child lol but she does it). It's to the point where she's stringing some of it together. I'll say, "Say, 'please'....?" She's say it, and I'll say, "may...." she'll say, "may I" I'll say "have" sometimes she'll jump to "juice!" Lol and I'll repeat, "HAVE....?" and she'll say, "have juice!" lol. Just try to start small. Aryen (the 19 month old) started with thank you and then please, then juice please for her sentences, too. The bigger sentences will come in time, but to start, I'd say start with repeating small sentences a lot. Hope this helps?

Kelly - posted on 05/04/2011

Louise, try to not get discourage. If she has been referred to speech therapy thats a good thing. I have 4 children and the middle 2 has gone to speech therapy, and if though it takes some time (the younger of the 2 is in 3rd grade and still receiving it) you will start to see a difference. I know that it can be discouraging but try not to let your duaghter see you get discouraged. Thats when she will get discouraged. Encourage her to keep pointing and when you figure it out say the word, repeat it and ask her to repeat it with you. It just takes time. Try to make everything a game.

Louise - posted on 05/04/2011

my daughter has just turned 2 and she cant talk either she doesnt say mama or dada all he can say is juice and shoes im getting concerned she has been referered to speech theropy tho its so frustrated to both me and my daughter she does point to what she wants so i got a good idea wat she wants wen she points my friends little girl is ten weeks younger and she can talk perfectly should i be reaslly worried at this stage

Schyla - posted on 05/04/2011

When My youngest daughter turned 2 she was the same way and then one day out of the blue she started gibber gabbering and hasn't stopped yet she's 3 and half now and quite the talker it sounds like she's right on track but if your that worried talk to her doctor and see what they have to say My Oldest was 2 and half and still wouldn't even say momma and dadda she had colasped ear drums from compacted earwax and has been in speech since she was that old she's 5 now and getting better every day!

Kelly - posted on 05/04/2011

If you are very concerned. Bring it up to the doctor when you go in for her 2 yr old check up. He/She can get in touch with an agency (here in AR it is Arch Ford) to get her tested. But then again she could do what my son did and by the time he was tested he was just talking up a storm. Even the babysitter had said if they would have tested him when I asked him to be tested he would be getting help but by the time he was tested he couldn't stop talking.

Jasmine - posted on 05/02/2011

I agree with Morgan... talk to your daughter more. I let my 2 yr. old watch educational programming on tv but I also watch them with her when I am not cooking or cleaning around the house. I engage her to see if she understands and 9 times out of 10 she does.

My mom told me to talk to my baby as an adult from day one so she would pick up on words, sounds, and eventually speaking in full sentences... and this has worked. Often times she surprises me with the things she says now. If you find that talking to her more and asking her questions for a response is not working I would definitely address this concern at your next doctors visit. Also remember, that kids master certain skills at a different rate than others. She may be quiet now, but when she starts talking you will wish she was her old self again. LOL.