How much does your 3 year old really talk?

Amanda - posted on 09/18/2012

I would speak to your pediatrician about your concerns. Speech therapy is a great way to catch up. Some children are more outspoken than others. My daughter turned 3 last month and n-e-v-e-r stops talking. She carries on conversations with her friends,her dolls, our pets, her dad, me, strangers in the shopping center, the postman, other parents at the bus stop when we take her brother for school, and on and on. She is clean and concise, no one has difficulty understanding her. We did get rid of the pacifier a little late... just within the last 2 weeks, but it never impacted her speech or ability to be understood.



Comparing a more shy or unsure child to her is a bit much though. If he isn't confident in his speech then he is going to be less likely to try speaking. Sometimes a bit of help or a confidence boost is all that is needed!

Angelina - posted on 04/29/2012

My son is 3.5 and talks but not clear and with some words cant find the pronunciation to say it. Normal kid otherwise and hearing it well any suggestions?

Thanks Angelina

Angelina - posted on 04/29/2012

Hi,

Can you tell me what type of technique or medthod did you use to get him to talk?

My son is 3.5 and talks but most not clear and with some words he cant find the pronunciation with lips to say it. Hes a normal kid otherwise and hearing is good, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated?



Thanks,

Angelina

Angelina - posted on 04/29/2012

Hi,



Can you tell me what type of technique or medthod did you use to get him to talk?

My son is 3.5 and talks but most not clear and with some words he cant find the pronunciation with lips to say it. Hes a normal kid otherwise and hearing is good, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated?



Angelina

Angelina - posted on 04/29/2012

"""My oldest daughter is 18 y/o now and she did not have the social skills when it was time for pre-k she was an only child so I believe if you only have one child then everything is normal."""

not sure what this means?



My son is 3.5 and talks but not clear and with some words cant find the pronunciation to say it. Normal kid otherwise and hearing it well any suggestions?

Jill - posted on 10/20/2011

I thought the same way that you do. My child was not talking or even replying to any questions asked, he didn't even say the basic words like, mommy, daddy, water, etc... So, I was deeply concerned and got him into speech therapy, and that did not seem to work. Yes they should me some ways to open the line of communication but after months and months of speech therapy no improvement. Then I realized that I was speaking for my son and communicating for him, after I realized this I stopped completely and made him tell me what he wanted, if he didn't say what he wanted he didn't get. After a few of doing this and one morning when I woke my son up in the morning he started to talk. You have to make him say things. I would recommend getting his hearing checked, if he has perfect hearing and nothing else that would delay his speech, then make him talk.

Jennifer - posted on 10/20/2011

my son was born 06/05/09 so he is 2 & he can talk in sentences & he can follow simple directions, his sister who is four can carry on a simple covo she may say some funny things but she'll try she wasn't able to follow directions until recently. I can understand everyword my children say to me & so can my mom, but some have a hard time understanding my 2 yr old. if I were you I would consider prek in a public school so its free to you they have speech therepist there that can help him just let them know your worried..also keep talking to you son as if he were an adult ( kid freindly) I mean no baby talk

Clyn - posted on 10/18/2011

My daughter excels at puzzles, singing and counting; she can also identify a lot of the letters of the alphabet and even write some of them. She draws detailed faces and other things YET she struggles when it comes to talking. She can get her point across when it's related to something she wants, but has a hard time answering questions i.e. "do you want to go with Mommy to the store" she will respond "store" in place of yes. She cannot hold a conversation as her sentences are very short. Her Dr. isn't too concerned due to how skilled she is in other areas, but when I hear other kids her age speak, I can't help but feel she's lagging behind. I've read that labeling things and using exaggerated facial/body expressions while speaking very clearly to them helps - I'm working on this with her now b/c I was guilty of baby talking with her for a long time.

Magan - posted on 09/18/2009

Children progress at different paces. I know lots of three year olds who are excellent talkers, but some do lag behind. Boys especially learn to speak at a much slower pace then girls. A lot can happen in a year too. Make sure you and whoever else is with him talks to him a lot so that he can learn. If you are extremely concerned ask his doctor or even preschool teacher.

Cathy - posted on 09/18/2009

My son is 3 and talks constantly, you canot keep him quiet. we can definitely hold a conversation and understand every word. He does, however, have two older siblings which may have helped a little. he can't quite count to 20 (close but not there yet). i think like every one else that has commented, every child is different and learns at a different pace. i wouldn't worry to much just yet.

Christi - posted on 09/17/2009

My son talks alot..he can hold a conversation, he talks clearly but i have to tell him to speak up sometimes. O by the way he is 3 too! I think your son is doing fine, some kids just talk more then others, give him more time.

Melanie - posted on 09/17/2009

My daughter is 4 now but 6mths ago i decided to take to speech therphy.like your son she would ask for things she really wanted and answer questions when ask in basic answers.She went to nursery and i spoke to her reguarly and tried to encourage conversation(as compared to my friends little ones even younger her conversation wasnt as good-i know dont compare but who dosnt).she also babbled alot to herself which i worried about for her age.Anyway with just one session there was some improvement.I learnt that amber understood what we said but was processing to much in her head and came out as babbling!!!cause of this we had a lack of understand of her words coming out,so withdrawn into herself leading to no coverstaions, due to lack of confidence.Now working with a speech therpist we build her confidence up with activities and exercises.teaching her to slow her speech and listern to the sounds of words.She has started school now and i was concerned again but in less than a week she has changed in her way of conversation.I only sat with her today and spoke about school and understood what she was saying.Im not saying this is whats a matter with your son but I suggest to see gp or someone and express your concern.

Marinelle - posted on 09/16/2009

My little guy turned 3 about a month ago and he can carry a conversation, sing and count to 20. After he was 2 he can say phrases but not much. He's my only child and when he was 2-1/2, he started going to daycare for 1day a week for half day. it helped a lot. He started to talked in sentences, more social, outgoing. I wouldn't worry either, but it won't hurt to let your pediatrician know. it's good that he can understand, it seems like he just can't get the full sounding of the words he wants to say. Sometimes being around other kids do help and they learn so quickly with it since they are like sponges.

Jennett - posted on 09/15/2009

Likewise, I agree with the other moms - every child is different. My daughter will be 3 next month, is an only child, and has been using complete sentences for almost one year. She has also been using large words (3 or more syllables) for almost as long. I've always spoken to her the same as I would any other person. She also was taught sign language from birth (the first sign she actually made was the sign for "milk" at around 6 months). The sign language was introduced due to chronic ear infections that created a hearing deficit. After two surgeries, her hearing has been at 100% for almost a year now and the prognosis is excellent. We still do sign language, but usually at places where talking isn't always practical or appropriate (like the library). I think one of the most important things to remember is not to get frustrated with a child who isn't speaking well by age 3 or even 4. If you're frustrated, your child will become frustrated and this could delay their speech even further. I've heard stories of children who barely speak but seem to listen well. Suddenly, they start talking and do so as if they'd been talking for years!

Verna - posted on 09/15/2009

Children are so different it is hard to tell, I would ask your pediatrician. You know your child better than anyone. Use your Mommy Sense, if you feel that something is wrong ask your doctor. Counting to 20 seems to be good for a 3 year old, more than likely he is fine, just developing in other ways than speech right now. Maybe he feels that his bond with you is strong enough to not really need to many words, that you just know what he needs and he can sense that.



My daughter is 2 1/2 and she can carry on a conversation, knows what I ask and can answer of follow through. She can cound and knows her letters verbally, by sight and by sign. I think she is advanced, but I have been working with her since she was about six months on signing. That has helped tremendously! I would strongly recomend "Signing Time" to any and all families with little ones. My daughter loves to watch the DVDs. It has helped her letter recognition, speech and signs.



http://www.signingtime.com/

Eyeda - posted on 09/15/2009

u shouldnt worry much as he can counts and sings. my 1st son is now 3 yrs 9 mths. he definitely has a speech delay. i noticed it when he was 2yrs +. he didnt baby talk. he only said mama n baba n the rest he just cried. i referred him to speech therapist n they confirmed it. but now.. he can communicate with us although his words are not clear yet. but i'm happy he's progressing. its just a matter of time

Erin - posted on 09/15/2009

Oh yeah, for my husband when he would start comparing our son to other kids, I would start comparing him to our other friends husbands, and our relationship w/other ppls relationships, he didn't like that too much! So I'd tell him to plug it when he started doing the same thing about our son! He keeps his comments to himself now!

Brenda - posted on 09/15/2009

I guess, let your child interact with kids. Playing with your child is a good communication tool. Reading books and bringing her to the library for a story telling time will help. Right now, they were building vocabulary skills thru learning things. I don't think your son has a problem. Keep the family interacting with your child.

BRITTANY - posted on 09/15/2009

i am in going through the same thing my sons father thanks there is something wrong wth are son because he doesnt talk thea moch but he knows his ABC's to the point if i skip lettere he can fill n the blanks, he can count to 20 and count up to 10 in spanish he knws sum of his colors n shapes but he loves to sing n perform, he does wht i ask him and can ask for sum of the things he wants..... but at the same time i cant have a full converstation with him but i think he improves evry single day

Ashley - posted on 09/15/2009

I dont know what to tell u my son just turned 4 he has been talking and able to understand what he is saying since he was two my other son tho is 2 now and i cant understand anything he says people tell me its because my 4 yr old talks for him but i dont really see that so idk what to tell u if your doctor will have them look at him or ask during a doc vistit what they think

Jo - posted on 09/15/2009

do you read to him? my son never stops talking. I always chat to him and tell him what things are when we go out and pass them. They learn from you so if you talk a lot to him he'll soon get chatting. Also might be an idea to have his hearing checked just in case.

Jerrica - posted on 09/14/2009

My three year old can carry a conversation, she can sing almost anything she hears. She can and will tell a person everything she sees or does. She can count to 100 and now she is teaching my one year old the things that she know.. Now what I did was from day one, I talked to her as if she were old enough to respond. She watches a lot of things like Barney or puppy dog.. things that she can interact with. I read to her everynight and most of the time had her repeat to me things that I said to her. I don't know if these things are helpful to you, but you can try them... I think that your child is fine.

Samantha - posted on 09/14/2009

My first son was very articulate by the age of three and I could talk with him on any number of things, My second has a speech disorder he understood everything I said but couldn't find the words to string together a three word sentence, My third who is now 3 is a darling boy who doesn't always understand and has a very cute lisp (I'm working on it lol) but is now undergoing assessment to see if there are any other issues going on because he can't string words together...your son sounds like he is motoring along=]

Martha - posted on 09/14/2009

I agree with everyone else: kids develop at their own rate. With that said, our Parents as Teachers educator gave us some suggestions to help facilitate speech. Blow bubbles or put a piece of tissue paper on the table and blow it across. Blowing helps strengthen mouth muscles which makes for better annunciation. Talk with him about things he finds interesting. For example, if he likes cars, talk about cars: makes, models, colors, number of doors, parts of the car, etc. If he likes animals, talk about animals. If he likes construction equipment, talk about construction equipment. If he likes sports, talk about sports. You get the idea. Finally, read, read, read.

Definitely talk with your doc. Best case, your mind will be put at ease. Worst case, you will get him help now rather than later increasing the chances of success.

Shannon - posted on 09/14/2009

My son is only 2 and was having lots of trouble due to a hearing loss that was corrected with tubes. I had him evaluated by a place called first steps and they recommend speech therapy which he has been doing since June and I am starting to see a difference.

Minnie - posted on 09/14/2009

She's a non-stop chatterbox. Yep, she carries on conversations, and monologues...lol, can't wait til she's four. I remember when I was four and I used to go on and on in the back seat of the car...remember one time my parents telling me to stop talking, hahah. She understands pretty much everything, and lets me explain things to her, tells me her thoughts, etc.



I'd wait a while before being concerned with him. Just talk to him all the time. Tell him what you're doing, tell him your thoughts, explain how things work.

Erin - posted on 09/14/2009

My son is 3 and talks as much as any girl I know! We've done like others, read alot, talk ALL the time, explain EVERYTHING, talk to him like an adult, read, read, read... he also uses the computer and can access his games through the favorites star on the task bar... He knows some sign language and some spanish... He likes to have his finger in his mouth, and this will keep him from talking @ times, but if he doesn't ask verbally he doesn't get it. We have conversations, we'll pretend play with toys and they have conversations, he'll talk on his play phones to WHOM EVER??? and then again, if I try having him explain something to someone and he's too busy playing he won't do it! He doesn't always like to be on display and will ignore me if I try to have him show someone his signs or something to that effect. My son was in daycare for a year, and when we're at home the TV is generally on for background noise. When he does talk in sentences some people don't understand him, but I notice that is seems more due to a lack of paying attention, because I will be paying attention to him and understand completely and they tend to miss the beginning and get lost...



My husband compares our son to other people's kids too, its very ANNOYING!!!! My son is not interested in potty training and he has friends that have been trained for a year now... all in their own time, with everything!

Julie - posted on 09/13/2009

I agree with a lot of the other moms! Each child at his own pace :) My three year old talks non stop and has since about 18 months old. She can tell you a story like there is no tomorrow. Everyday we get up and she is always the first one to start talking about the days plans. "Mama do I get to go to pre school today? Not Sara (little sister) though, right Mama cause she is just a baby. What is for breakfast mom? After breakfast can I watch one Dora?" It never stops all day long. But my oldest and only son did not hold a conversation well until over 4. He could say words and express what he wanted, but was just not chatty nor did he really care to even try!

Jennifer - posted on 09/13/2009

I believe that each child developes at there own pace. I have two little girls and my oldest for the longest time did not speak much and what she did say was not always clear to others. Again though she was only three at the time, now she is 6 and you can't shut her up. I can't stand it when people would come to me, mainly family members and comment about her speech, she knew what I wanted from her and she could ask if she needed something. My daughter's vocabulary and speaking ability has turned out fine.

Jamie - posted on 09/13/2009

My first child was speaking to us in complete (yet sometimes hard to understand) sentences by the time she was 2. My second is now almost 28 months and is just now starting to form sentences. I think it depends on the child and as long as your lil one is doing well in all the other development areas then you shouldnt worry. I think he should at 3 understand MOST of what you say to him though. If he is having problems with simple directions then I would speak to doc about it. But I think hes fine! Good luck, God bless!

Genea - posted on 09/13/2009

He will talk alot when he is ready some three year olds talk a lot some dont no need to worry hes fine

Christine - posted on 09/13/2009

I agree with Samantha - If you are really concerned, absolutely make a point to talk to your son's doctor... It's what they're there for!



My son is four now, and had a vocab of less than 10 - 15 words when he was two and a half. He was also terrorized and abused by his bio-mom, but even after she was gone, he still wasn't too keen on talking until one day he up and decided to NEVER BE QUIET AGAIN! LOL.



It really depends on the child. Especially considering there is another baby on the way... Even if they don't 100% understand what is going on, kids can really stress themselves out! Just make a point to talk or read to your son, sing to/with him, even invent games when you're taking a walk or driving in the car somewhere (ie. point to a tree/house/car/bird, etc. and ask what it is... If he answers correctly, make a big to-do about it, smiles, high fives, the works. If he answers incorrectly, still smile and be positive while you correct him.)



I hope this helps... Those are things I did with my son to help him come out of his shell and now he talks to everything and everyone. He really loves talking to strangers, and when I ask him what he's doing he says (exact words) "Geez, Mommy, relax! I'm just making friends!" I'm sure you two will be fine. ;-D

Samantha - posted on 09/13/2009

i would defiantely ask you pediatrician. my son started speech therapy through our school district in feb. and it's totally helping. he's improving daily. also most school districts will do a free eval. in your home to determine what level your child is at.

Amanda - posted on 09/13/2009

This is the best reply I've seen. Ditto down the whole list there. The only difference is with the cup, when my son was a little over a year, I would make him say "cup" if he wanted it. It started out as "gup", but got better. It was all easy sailing from that age. Children are like plants, the more you feed & water them (figuratively), the more they grow.

Amanda - posted on 09/13/2009

My son will be three Dec. 30th. He carries on conversations just fine. He has a regular vocabulary & is adding new words by the day. Sometimes however, he says innapropriate things like "it's an opportunity" when it makes no sense. Yeah, he just talks like anyone else. The kids he's around that are his age & older aren't as proficient with language yet. He still needs work explaining why when asked. He just says because most of the time (prob got that from Daddy) I think he's a little quicker than normal with the talking though. Probably because I stay at home with him & have been talking to him like a normal person (no baby talk) since he was a baby. I have always told him what everything is & now that he asks "why?" I always explain as best I can. If your son is counting to 20, he's probably okay. He & my son are the same there. I really think it's just the amount they are exposed to conversation & interaction. Just what I think. In daycares, preschool, etc. they are exposed to kids who's parents may use baby talk & not educate their kids & they don't have good examples of what regular speech is. I've rambled enough. Best of luck to you.

Georgia - posted on 09/13/2009

To add a bit to my previous post, while I try not to I do compare my sons (but without expectation). Only because I am curious to see just how different they are. My 9 month old babbles constantly (which my first didn't), yet he doesn't have any teeth (the other had 4 by this time), he's also walking in a walker and can pull himself to a stand (the eldest didn't do this until after 1 year old). So you see, every child IS different. We're thinking that our youngest will probably start talking before his older brother at the rate he's going. What a little chatterbox! Our eldest is the quiet, contemplative sort, where the younger one seems likely to be the social butterfly. (One is like mummy and the other like daddy)
Reading does help develop speech and language skills, but don't be discouraged if you don't hear full conversations at 3. Some are just late bloomers. It doesn't mean they have anything wrong with them.

Maria - posted on 09/13/2009

This goes good with the previous question, "should I read to my child". Reading to a child early helps develop speech.

Lesllie - posted on 09/13/2009

My 3 y/o daughter talks alot and is very understandable but she has older sisters too and I know that helps alot so if your husband is concerned he shouldn't be b/c every child is different. My oldest daughter is 18 y/o now and she did not have the social skills when it was time for pre-k she was an only child so I believe if you only have one child then everything is normal.

Georgia - posted on 09/13/2009

My eldest son is 2 1/2 and he has a vocabulary of approximately 6 words. He's done everything in his own time though. We read heaps of books together and I feel that I've talked constantly about everything since he was born. I believe he's just a late bloomer with talking because his comprehension is extremely high in 2 languages and he can carry out complex tasks (3-4 tasks given as a single instruction). Part of his problem is that everyone understands him, for the most part, so he has no need to speak. His speaking skills have started picking up since starting daycare though, and he's also learning yet another language there.
From what I've read and have been told is that boys are slower developmentally than girls and if you are teaching more than one language that can delay speech as well.
All kids are different, so it's not really fair to compare them.

Sara - posted on 09/12/2009

my son still babbles alot and i can't understand anything he says when he does it, but hes picked up on alot of small words really quickly. alot of the time he won't say the whole word, so when i know what hes trying to say i repeat the word correctly. reading is the best thing you can do to help. i have problems with pronunciating things fully, so i think that's where he gets it, i always say hangin, or doin, so it's defintly a learning process for me too!! he can count to five and carry a tune, although alot of the time i can't understand it. baby talk is horrible too especially when you can't get other people to stop doing it. good luck

Shawn - posted on 09/12/2009

My 2 and half year old speaks well and talks a lot, but I don't remember my nephews being able to talk like she does at this age, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. (They are five and nine now) I do think reading simple books to her every night helped her though. We read the same books over and over a lot because that's what she wanted to do, and eventually it was like she could read them herself.

Frances - posted on 09/12/2009

My daughters are much more talkative them my son, especially at age 2 and 3. My sons 5 now, and he tells me that he, and i quote: "just gets in a mood, and would rather not talk, conversation wise, he is very intelligent but i honestly dont know "him" as well as i know my daughters. meaning he doesnt discuss his feelings as my girls do. Im no psycologist...i cant even spell it..that's obvious, but by the looks of these posts, one would be able to come to a reasonable conclusion that boys have a tougher time getting vocal than others, whether it be that their slower, have a speech impediment, or are just plain "in a mood" i.e: dont feel like talking.

Jennifer - posted on 09/12/2009

Since my daughter was born, I have always talked to her like a grown-up. I never baby-talked or spoke with improper English. At first, they don't understand either way, so I never understood why people talk down and babble. My daughter just recently turned 20 months old, and she already is speaking some sentences and has a vocabulary of about 100 words. Repetition with words and phrases is very effective (as it is with anything else) If you're not seeing much progress, I would speak with the pediatrician if you have any concerns. Just remember, every child learns at a different pace. When my daughter wanted her sippie-cup, I would not give it to her if she was only pointing at it and whining/begging. I would make her say "juice, please" (even if she couldn't say it clearly, it's the effort that matters) and once she did, she got her juice. It's been really effective and she does it for everything she wants or needs.

Valerie - posted on 09/12/2009

I think that it a depends the child! My first child has been holding on conversations since he was a little over one year old! Now, my 15 month barely talks at all! He was born a month and a half early! He has some health issue and just doesn't want to talk! He can because I can hear him in his crib talking away to himself! He is just shy! Just give it time!

Jessica - posted on 09/11/2009

My son can carry a conversation when he choses to. My son is 3 and lagged behind due to chronic ear infections but has caught up pretty well. My son doesn't always talk clearly but we can make out what he is saying for the most part and we just reinforce what he is wanting to say the correct way. Don't push him just keep encouraging him to do things

Maggie - posted on 09/11/2009

My three year old talks like crazy. He carries on full conversations and is understood by just about everyone. He was an early talker, though, and we did sign language with him as well - which is said to speed the learning of speech. If you have concerns talk with your pediatrician but it sounds like maybe he's just a quiet child.

Laura - posted on 09/11/2009

I have a 5 year old daughter, so I talk to my son just like I talk to her.. he knows alot for his age 3... Just dont baby talk to him,...Talk to him as if you were talking to any adults, and dont hold back on big words. Beleive me they understand.

Brooklyn - posted on 09/11/2009

Thanks for all the comments. Iam not necessarily worried just wondering. I realize all kids are different and learn at their own pace. Iam sure talking it over with the doctor will ease our minds.

Desiree - posted on 09/11/2009

I think it all depends on the child. My son will be 3 in December and he has quite a few words he can say and a few things in sign language but most of the time it is jut babble. But, he is an only child and I am a stay at home mom. He doesn't spend much time with anyone his age because we don't know many people in this area that young and I don't have the money to take him to a daycare. Some kids do talk earlier if they go to daycare and go to a lot of play groups with kids their age. Younger siblings also talk younger because they want to be like their older siblings. So if you are truely concerned then talk to your pediatrician. I'm waiting until next year when he is in preschool to start really worrying about his coversation skills.

Hayden - posted on 09/11/2009

Also yes my kids clean even my 17 month old I hand him a toy and he'll put it in the box..but like I said both of my children are very different and that is where I have learned to not compare children to another child they are all different and have their own thoughts but if you are worried yes talk to the dr.