should my son be talking more?

Rena - posted on 06/23/2011

My daughter is 18 mos old, she is the youngest of three. She started talking early however refuses to say even those words. Since she is my youngest I am not worried she communicates by nodding her head yes and no and my older two seem to do the talking for her. I have learned every child is different I have a feeling that she will start out saying full on sentences when she is ready.

Katie - posted on 06/22/2011

yes, your child should be saying a few more words by now but I would not worry about it to much at this point. If you are concerned then talk to your childs Dr about it or look into getting a speech therapist. but don't strss over it. Just work with your child on expanding his vocabulary

Amy - posted on 06/22/2011

My son was a good talker, but then my daughter was not much of a talker at all. I was really worried when she was 2 yrs old and didnt have much of a vocabulary. I kept wishing that she would talk and soon, but with in a few month after I had spoken to the dr and had her evaluated (wich was fine) she started talking and really coming out of her shell, now we cant get her to stop, hehe. Dont worry, Im sure he will talk in his own time, but if you are really worried you can talk to your doctor. All kids are different and will do things in their own time, but I know its hard not to compare to others their age. :0) Hope this helps.

Sarah - posted on 06/21/2011

Thank you everyone. I know he understands what we tell him and I tend to think he can say more than what he does I just don't think he wants to say anything. Thank you for the encouragement.

Tracy - posted on 06/19/2011

That might be less than others his age but I wouldn't worry. Boys are supposed to develop later than girls. If he can follow simple directions that shows he can hear and understands. At my 18 month check up the doctor asked me if my girls said at least 5 words. That is only a one word difference. Plus he could actually know other words that you just don't recognize yet. My husband and I are the only ones who recognize certain words my daughter says and that is only because we are able to spend so much time with her. Of course if you are really worried, talking to a doctor is not a bad idea. I am sure it would ease your mind.

Nancy - posted on 06/19/2011

Last summer I was going through the same worry that you are right now. My neighbour's daughter is the same age as my daughter (they share a Bday) and was so much more verbal. My daughter on the other hand rode a bike (with training wheels) before she turned 2, walked before she turned 1 and hit all her physical milestones well before the expected age.
We went on vacation in August (at 21 months) and when we got back the verbal floodgate opened up and she went from 1 word to 3 word phrases to complete sentences.

All kids develop at their own pace, if you are really worried you can always talk to his pediatrician. Personally, I wouldn't worry for a while yet.

Pamela - posted on 06/19/2011

i would not worry about it , i have a four year old boy and an almost two year old girl, my son didn't talk for a very long time he only did sign language, but now talks up a storm and does not remember the signing that he did, and my daughter is saying sentances already, every kid does things at there own pace, try to relax, i know it's hard though i was worried too.

Marissa - posted on 06/19/2011

My son was a late talker. He was early in every other milestone, but not talking. At that age, he barely talked at all, and I was concerned. I often spoke to other moms and was reassured that all kids are different. He will be three in August and has really only been talking good for a few months. In fact, his first complete, correct sentence was just a couple of months ago. ( "I had it first" was his lovely first sentence!!) I remember there being a boy in his class at that age that would talk up a storm, complete sentences and everything, and I was always comparing them, but every child is different. As long as everything else is normal, I wouldn't sweat it too much, but if you are really concerned, speak to the Dr.