How many words should an 18 month old say??

Mandy - posted on 04/05/2013

my 20 months old son does not speak too well but is very active and can do whatever you ask him to do,could there be a problem

Chris - posted on 04/04/2013

I would have to agree when the other posters say your child says a lot of words-40 words for an 18 month old is really good! My daughter is 16 months, and knows the basics (maybe 7-8 words) plus she says "What's thaaaaaat?" constantly. She knows what things are, and if you ask her to get the frog, or ball or flower, she will. She imitates a lot-if she sees a dog, she goes "woof-woof" or sees a flower, she breathes in really deep (like she's smelling it). Plus, she babbles constantly! I don't think you have anything to worry about at all. Each child is different, and learns at a different rate. I think your child is ahead of the game!

Sam - posted on 04/03/2013

Aba- if your child is saying only mama and dada at 18 months, I would seek a speech and language evaluation as he should have more words. Often times pediatricians do not know speech and language norms well and will advise parents to wait which is often not the best advice. I am actually a speech and language pathologist and see this often. In my professionally opinion, it is always better to seek an evaluation as early as possible. If your child does indeed need therapy, the sooner you can get him into speech and language therapy the better off he will be. I am not saying your son needs it because I do not know him but based on what you said, i would urge you to get an evaluation now. You can get one at a clinic (insurance) or through early intervention with the school district. Again, he may not end up needing services but it will give you peace of mind either way to either know that your child is within average range or to know that you are getting the services he needs as early as possible. Early intervention is the best way to go.

Aba - posted on 03/09/2013

My son is 18 months old. He is not saying any other word beside mama and dada. I am very worried about this. his doctor told me that we need to wait until he turns 2,,then we might need to do some speech therapy with him. Why is this happening to my son???

Sarah - posted on 10/02/2012

At 15 months my daughter could say over 150 words,and count to 10.She is now 18 months and knows well over 300,she can put sentences together,she sings songs such as twinkle twinkle only missing a couple of words,and she knows what different animals are if you point to them in books etc,as well as what noise they all make. She is so clever,I couldn't imagine her not being able to speak so well at this age.....

I think the fact she lives with myself,mum and dad,and is constantly talked to,as well as the wonderful CBEEBIES programs, is the secret behind her advanced speech,she listens intentively and copies what is being said. I could list everything she understands and says,but I would be here all day!

The best advice is to talk to your child constantly, but not in "baby talk" and don't forget CBEEBIES ;)

Agnes - posted on 08/09/2012

My twins (boy) is 17 months and can only "MA" "TE" "DA" "DE" repeatedly. They are very active but they can't speak more words, is that okey or do I have to seek advice from a health professional cause I am worried. My two older daughters speak alot when they reach 18 months, are they behind??

Casey - posted on 07/11/2012

My daughter is 17 months and can say just over 30 words. She can sign more, all done, and potty. Some words she learned because I would purposely point at the object and say the word over and over and she would pick it up. That's how she learned "duck" and "doggy" and "ball". Other words she just picked up. We were walking down the shoes aisle in Walmart and my daughter got all excited and pointed at the shoes exclaiming "shoes! Shoes!" it was the first id heard her use that word. same for words like cracker and cheese. I sing abcs with her and when we play with sidewalk chalk I'll draw the letters and name them for her, but she doesn't know her alphabet yet. My daughter is in daycare as i work full time and I know she has picked up some words from them, such as "bubble". All kids are different though, there's a wide range of normal. Just because a kid knows less words at 18 months doesn't mean they will know less when they are in preschool.

Kim - posted on 07/10/2012

Ok I'm new to site and thought this be very open site for moms to gather information but my 18 month old says around 15 words but is active and knows what is being said I know my son is smart but after coming on here everyone else would say he is behind and that is not true I would like to know how u all have taught ur children 50 words or more like u have said have I do want advice on how to teach abc and add words but again I want realistic advice and do not want to have me or my son to feel too bad I am stay at home mom and try very hard to do my best but my son is very active and keeping his attention is hard any advice on good waysvto expand his vocubulary and his learning please give thank you

Ann - posted on 05/31/2012

I had 3 that didnt talk much until after 2 years (and then the girls wouldnt shut up! lol) and one child who could say nearly 40 words by the time he was 18 months (I remember because he saw a child nurse and she asked) They are all different and really you dont have anything to worry about until after 2 years of age. They all do it at their own pace.

Sarah - posted on 04/15/2012

His doctor will tell you but I think forty is more than enough or right on target

Autumn - posted on 11/06/2011

Really??? most kids at @ 18 months say a few words.... "A child @ 18 months old should say 15 words" says online @ babycenter. Or you could call your pediatrician? But I am pretty sure he is doing just fine. you could google this online.

Angela - posted on 02/13/2010

Don't worry, both of my kids didn't start talking until 2. They know the words, they just start when they're ready. Don't worry about how many words an 18 month old should say. Now, if he's 3 or 4 and still not talking, then you can start worrying.

Sue - posted on 01/13/2010

Thats very good for a 18 month old toddler,to be onast was worrying myself,only today,as ave 14 month old,but says very basic words,muma,dadda,nanna,brum,brum,look,thought wasn,t right for his age,but everything else is on target,so im not worrying at this stage,but well done youxx

Emily - posted on 01/13/2010

Im not trying to rush him too much sometimes i feel like i do, we just recently got ABC magnets for the fridge so thats the reason i was teaching him A but other than that i dont push him i spend a lot of time just talking to him and tell him everything i do when im doing it so he learns he loves learning body parts though which he also learns in daycare!! once again thank you for the comments on how many words an 18 month old should say!

Maggie - posted on 01/13/2010

Quoting Emily:

Thank you for all to comments it has made me feel a lot better! right now he is learning his ABC's and only know A. It is hard to get this boy to sit still and look at one think for more than 2 minutes

Don't rush him. He'll learn when he's ready. There are really no proven benefits to learning the alphabet and/or reading this early. If he is interested then go for it, if not then encourage him in whatever he wants to learn. ABC's can wait for a little later.

Emily - posted on 01/13/2010

Thank you for all to comments about how many words an 18 month old should say it has made me feel a lot better! right now he is learning his ABC's and only know A. It is hard to get this boy to sit still and look at one think for more than 2 minutes!

Jennifer - posted on 01/13/2010

Most 18 month old children have mastered between 5 and 20 words (mostly nouns). There are many differences among children and boys generally develop language skills more slowly than girls. Many children don't speak simple sentences until they are over age 2. I would say that your son is definitely on track and you don't need to be concerned about his development. Start teaching him his alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors.

Maggie - posted on 01/13/2010

he's doing fine!

http://infanttoddlerdevelopment.suite101...



My sons were both talkers even though they say boys talk later and slower than girls. My first son had a vocabulary of about 100 words and signs by 18 months but he was way ahead in speech development. My 17 month old says about 40 or 50 words (more every day!) and 20 or so signs.

Crystal - posted on 01/13/2010

wow you have nothing at all to worry about. your little boy is saying ALOT more them my 27 month old :-)

Claudia - posted on 01/13/2010

Hi. It sounds like your son is right on track. In one of my nursing textbooks it says that the average amount of words for an 18 month old is 10. So he is doing well.

Angela - posted on 02/13/2010

Don't worry, both of my kids didn't start talking until 2. They know the words, they just start when they're ready. Don't worry about how many words an 18 month old should say. Now, if he's 3 or 4 and still not talking, then you can start worrying.

Sue - posted on 01/13/2010

Thats very good for a 18 month old toddler,to be onast was worrying myself,only today,as ave 14 month old,but says very basic words,muma,dadda,nanna,brum,brum,look,thought wasn,t right for his age,but everything else is on target,so im not worrying at this stage,but well done youxx

Emily - posted on 01/13/2010

Im not trying to rush him too much sometimes i feel like i do, we just recently got ABC magnets for the fridge so thats the reason i was teaching him A but other than that i dont push him i spend a lot of time just talking to him and tell him everything i do when im doing it so he learns he loves learning body parts though which he also learns in daycare!! once again thank you for the comments on how many words an 18 month old should say!

Emily - posted on 01/13/2010

Thank you for all to comments about how many words an 18 month old should say it has made me feel a lot better! right now he is learning his ABC's and only know A. It is hard to get this boy to sit still and look at one think for more than 2 minutes!