2 Year old can only say "mum" "dad" & "All gone"

Melynda - posted on 09/10/2010

My 2 yr old was the same...till here recently she has started to say more things...I was worried at first b/c my oldest which is now 3 was fast at everything and my youngest was more slow about it all...But they will def talk when they get ready...I would just say if he understands you and everything but just not talking alot yet then just give him time then he will be talking away...And the flash cards also got ate and tore up by my kids too...I think my 2 yr old has learnt more words just from us talking to her and her and her sister talking back and forth...But if no sibling then I would just work with him or let him do it on his own....Before long he will be talking away!!!

Carla - posted on 09/10/2010

Hi, read your email. Your son seems not to respond to 'visual learning' you might focus on auditive, read as many books as you can, not with caricatural pictures but realistic, artistic ones. use music, slow not the hyper fast songs, talk yourself clearly and very simple. repeat slow and friendly. you could try colors and look for instant for red, try to find in many places red and let him, only playful, repeat it. Play and playfulness is the best way to learn! make gestured and use hands. movement can help too one of the best, welspoken lawyers I know, did not significant talk before he was 4 years old..stay positive!

Imke - posted on 09/10/2010

Don't worry! Language aquisition is extremely individual. Your doctor will ask you for signs that might hint at something not being right. Otherwise don't let others make you feel bad about this. Don't try to teach him, he'll pick his favorite words in daily communication with you; you don't have to simplify your speech or anything, it's enough for him to hear you (and others) talk around and (especially) to him!

Melissa - posted on 09/10/2010

Just keep talking to him :-) Every time he picks something up, or you hand him something, name it. He will figure it out eventually :-) Good lock!

Sonja - posted on 09/10/2010

My baby can read is also fabulous!

Tisha - posted on 09/10/2010

My son was the same way at age 2. The Brainy Baby DVDs are awesome! Try the "English" one as it has various words we use everyday that are flashed on the screen w/corresponding pictures. We also love the Shapes & Colors one!

Sonja - posted on 09/10/2010

Speach will come at its own pace. My son said two words at two, and by 25 months was much more verbal. Now, at 2 years 8 months, he is more verbal than many of his friends. Dont worry. Other parts of his brain need his time and energy right now!

Betty - posted on 09/10/2010

Einstein didn't talk until he was three years old. The best way to teach you children new words is to talk to them using these words.

Caroline - posted on 09/10/2010

just make sure that your son is among his age mates ,my son stayed till almost the same time i realized its cos he was so isolated than i took him to a care center with kids and in a weeks time all the words came tumbling out

Tracey - posted on 09/09/2010

teach him/her basic sign language, its the best way to teach them how to talk.

Tracey - posted on 09/09/2010

I'd take him to a paediatrician, if its nothing to worry about the dr will soon let you know. best to be safe than sorry. My boy couldnt talk at 2 and we didnt know why, found out a coule months later he is autistic.

Karen - posted on 09/09/2010

Hi Kayleigh
I'm a pediatric occupational therapist and have been working for many years in a multidiscipline team of therapists....along side speech therapists. i just wanted to say that it's good that you not panicking, cause that doesn't get anybody anywhere. with that said, i also want to add that many delays/difficulties/ extra challenges that our generation had went untreated because there wasn't enough awareness and sometimes not enough knowledge. a lot of what we treat today may "come right on it's own", but i always say to parents that in order for their kids "to get there" it usually means quite a struggle for the kid and i don't see why they need to struggle if it could all be made much more easy for them, and usually quite fun, by a trained professional therapist. so, with that said, why don't you make an appointment with a speech therapist, just you and your husband and consult with them first....nothing to loose, only to gain.
good luck!!!!

Juliana - posted on 09/09/2010

Hi worried mum I am 52 a mum, grandma more recently and a teacher for 30 years or so also taught early childhood to childcare students at TAFE and UNi Mostly RELAX children have spurts when they are ready and intervals where there isn't obvious development - but it is happening they r taking in more than u can see or hear. 2 is too young for flashcards u can start putting them around house as labels eg Fridge etc it will help later when he is ready that they have always been there but all you need to do is keep talking to him and giving him words for things eg Are you thirsty? This is ---- drink cup this is you cup etc repeating simple words in converstaion as u do stuff He will splurt it all out when he is ready and then you will be thinking You'd rather he didn't chatter so much
don't worry you r a great mum believe in yourself and your baby

Angina - posted on 09/09/2010

When my son was having problems with his speech (didn't talk til 2.5 when he finally got speech services) they told me not to give in to his pointing have him try to ask or OMG U know what works like magic narrate EVERYTHING for him!!! ie: "Oh Mama I'm so upset. I'm hungry. I didn't like that." etc... My 3rd baby got floortime services and the DI did this with him ALL the time teaching me to do it and doing this along with signing with him he talked like a pro at 18months. My 1st son talked late I think more because of his medical issues (he had a cleft lip) but once he got help he started talking over night like CRAZY!) and I always signed with the twins my daughter also talked very early. They were also identifying letters by the time they were 18months because of sign language.

Not sure where you live but you should go to this website and check out the AMAZING videos and there's classes all over the place offered!
www.signingtimeacademy.com/kikaibear if you purchase something; at check out put SAVE 5 and get 5% off your order. Email me if you have questions. kikaibear@yahoo.com

Sheilah - posted on 09/09/2010

My 3rd child didn't speak until he was 2 1/2 yrs old. Just one day he started jabbering. As long as yours understands what he is being told don't worry. I'd just talk to him like a normal person and that teaches enough words. Reading stories helps too.

Carry - posted on 09/09/2010

I also would love to know. Our grandson is going to be 2 on the 25th of this month and every great once and awhile he will say Mum, Mum or DaDa, but that is all. We have worked with him when we watch him and point to objects and say their name trying to get him to copy and say them- items such as "ball", "juice", etc. but he just looks at us and goes about playing. He is a smart boy and is on track for all of his learning, he just doesn't want to talk! Has anyone else had this at this age?

Jennifer - posted on 09/09/2010

consult a pediatrician..they know better..they can asses your child and can suggest tools for your child's development..children has their own unique pace but doctors' know best..their advice might help and will give you peace of mind

Keleigh - posted on 09/09/2010

He is most likely just fine. Just be patient with him. Repeat, repeat, repeat!!!! ALL children learn and "perform" at different rates. I wouldn't worry about him right now.

Jessica - posted on 09/09/2010

My son had/has a speech delay. My doctor had him set up through an organization that is free and a speech therapist comes and works with him. At first they worked on just making the sounds and now they are working on making sentences. But they did this all through play.

Beth - posted on 09/09/2010

If you can try the parents as teachers in your community. My son is in kindergarten now but was in a program that he had got help with the speech though the school district and is still getting help in the area along with others.. So glad I had done the parents as teachers.

Ginamarie - posted on 09/09/2010

Be careful what you wish for! Just WAIT until they get to the word"experimentation" stage! they hear certain words get certain responses, so they try them out- usually in a crowded place like a grocery store. And while mom dies of embarrassment, they watch your reaction.! When my youngest ( now 18) was in the grocery store with his dad, he had discovered that he knew how to give "the finger". My youngest was very proud and said, "Look Dad" His dad was angry and picked our son up like a football and tore out of the store, leaving the groceries behind. Words will come --and when they do... somehow they make up for lost time!

Bella - posted on 09/09/2010

very true. I have no regrets for seeking early intervention for my son. He had very limited vocabulary and i was told not to worry it could be because we were a multi-language household thats why it was taking him long but i still went with the intervention and they tested for everything which he passed Thank God but they still enrolled him in a 3 days a week program at the elementary school to help him with social schools. Other families have to pay for this class but because he was on the program it cost us nothing and he even got to ride on the small school bus. To say the least my sons speech, love for numbers and social skills has improve. In short there are programs out there that can help and every child is different

Keana - posted on 09/09/2010

Kayleigh,

I have four children three of which have needed speech therapy. My middle child is apraxic which is a speech disorder. at two he could only say mum and dada and more.

I am not saying your son has a disorder, but I suggest checking with a local agency for early developement. Most states have these agency and they will come to your home and evaluate your son for free. It does not hurt to have it done and they can give you suggestions. If the feel he needfs speech therapy they will come into the home and provide services for free until he is three and then services are supplied most places through your school district.

You can also call the local childrens hospital and they can schedule testing if your insurance covers it. I would also schedule a hearing test, because if has had many ear infections that could harm his hearing and he may need tube and his adnoids out.

These are just things I have learned. Some pediatrins tell you to wait but the sooner you get help the faster he will learn.

Hope this helps and I pray that you take him for testing and there is no delay just him being a boy, but they should have at least 20 words at age 2

Gail - posted on 09/09/2010

Kayleigh: Is here anything else unusual, such as running in circles, opening and closing doors repeatedly or inappropriate use of toys? My son, Neil, is now 13. He didn't speak at all until age 3. But because I had two other children I realized that some of these other things were different. I had him evaluated and found they diagnosed him with PDD-NOS and I got special intervention for him. He was on track by kindergarten and today despite being on the autism spectrum is mainstreamed and an A+ student. Einstein was a late talker and they speculate he may have been on the spectrum. Have her checked out thoroughly just to be safe. Early intervention is so critical if there is any sort of issue. And even if there is, she will be just fine!

Suzanne - posted on 09/09/2010

I don't think you should have to do anything major, just read stories, talk to him sing anything that will alow him to hear you speak. if he does say words that you understand just say things like "yes dog" to reinforce what he does say

Laura - posted on 09/09/2010

Don't panic! This seems to be a bigger problem with boys than girls. Keep doing what you are doing and the next thing you know you will be getting not only words but paragraphs. It will probably happen over night!

Nicole - posted on 09/09/2010

It annoys me to no end when people say that kids should do certain things by a certain time. Every kid is different and I wouldn't even think about getting them tested till they are 3 if there is no changes.

Nicole - posted on 09/09/2010

Get them around kids their age that are talking and let them play together it works wonders and also I notice that my daughter starts talking a lot more after she has been around family. Make sure and talk a lot to him too. You may not think that he understands but you would be amazed. When you go by things like a truck or a tree or grass or whatever let him touch it and tell him what it is be like oh look at the big tree or that's a car or whatever. Don't worry about using things like flash card cause they don't work. Reading to him a lot is good too. Read like 4 or more books before bed. Hope that helps. And don't listen to other's when they tell you that there is something wrong. It might even be that he is saying words but you just can't understand them too.

Korrinne - posted on 09/09/2010

i completely agree with barb reward if they attempt to say it but the more you repeat the word they will get it and thats coming from a speach and language pathologuist (older son had speach therapy for 4 years) she said that they need to hear the word like 200-300 times before it clicks in their head and they can repeat it

Amy - posted on 09/09/2010

At two my son was only saying between 6-9 words regularly. I was starting to get a little worried so I had him evaluated with Early Intervention and got him set up with a couple therapists. Almost from the moment I made the call he started saying more and mimicking more, (he wasn't mimicking hardly at all), by the time I actually got a speech therapist in there he had doubled his vocabulary himself. Needless to say his working with the therapists bombed out. (He's a little anti social to begin with and refused to work with them to the point he would become aggressive with me.) But, I had started him in a local playgroup of kids between 1-5yrs twice a week at the same time I had him evaluated and it's my belief that was what urged him to start talking. He's 2 1/2 now, saying everything under the sun. I would like to see him doing better on sentence structure, but I am no longer worried. I just say the words to as many items as I can while we are out, or during play, knowing that even if he doesn't say it back, he is hearing and remembering it, and like I said I really feel that being around other kids was the biggest positive. (He is an only child and outside of play group doesn't have much chance to be around other kids.)

Camber - posted on 09/09/2010

My son is just starting to say more words and he is 2. They say that you are supposed to read to them starting at a really young age and Ive been reading to him since he was born and I dont think it really helps. He has learned sounds of animals and colors and what not from reading he just doesnt want to talk. My mom said that all kids are different and they will start to talk when they are ready and my son is by no means stupid. What I do though is I will tell him say (Some word) and most of the time he will repeat it. As long as he knows what he is being told I think hes fine. Good Luck.

Irene - posted on 09/09/2010

my son was like that aswell at 2 but at 3 i cant shut him up, he will be talking in no time you should be worried if he doesnt talk by 4 i think.

Bella - posted on 09/09/2010

I know you said you are not worried and there is no need to be he will eventually talk a storm and you will wish to tell him to be quiet! My son now 4yrs was slow too and i on the other hand was worried. I talked to his Dr who referred me to the school district and they sent a special ed teacher who came to our house once a week bringing toys and techniques that would encourage him to learn new words.

Christina - posted on 09/09/2010

My son as well understands commands and follows through if he wants too.My daughter who is five now talked early but my son can physically do things that she couldn't at his age.

Christina - posted on 09/09/2010

My son is also two and has a limited vocab as well.I just keep talking to him normally and repeat things to him and take him on nature walks around the block and talk to him about things around him. He turned two August first and he's just starting to add words at least he's making the effort.

Sarah - posted on 09/09/2010

it has more to do with neurological development and exposure than anything else. Naming things and speaking in simple sentences is best. Point and name. Can he follow a one or two step simple request? Late onset to speech CAN indicate a later language disability (dyslexia etc), but not nec. Just a sign to keep watching. I would consult my doc if you are concerned. A parent is the best indicator of a problem. They tend to have the correct radar no matter what others say. Trust your instinct.

User - posted on 09/09/2010

Try 'my baby can read'; http://www.yourbabycan.co.uk/ce-3p-defau...

Carmel - posted on 09/09/2010

hmm I don't know if I hit the post button, if i did then you 'll get 2 replies from me. I have those "dr titzer your baby can read" dvds, those got my daughter talking so fast. I don't know if that's something you want to try, but if you do, they are also very entertaining for your toddler so it can't hurt.

Linda - posted on 09/09/2010

just re-enforce " use your words" ..don't let others (Grands or siblings ) talk for him. You really can't force talking but you can show enthusiasm as a verbal reward when he does use words. Do not use baby talk or short cut words. Speak to him as a 2year old and let him know you expect him to use his words.

Deborah - posted on 09/09/2010

Maybe his hearing needs to be checked to see if he has a hearing problem. My youngest daughter didn't speak until she was two and then she started speaking in full sentences. I had taken her to speech therapy; I don't really think it helped her. What did, was her older sister by 23 months went to school. She then didn't have anyone to talk for her. The oldest did enough talking for the both of them. My youngest now grown and married is dyslexic (spelling?) Heck we even used Hooked on Phonics to help her. It didn't work. She is still dyslexic and loves to read. What can I say?

Sherry - posted on 09/09/2010

some kids take it all in before they will say anything. My oldest didn't say much more than mom and dad, then one day as I was telling my mom I thought I should get his hearing checked, he turned to us, held up a scoop he was playing with and said "shovel" so technically after mom and dad, shovel was his first word! Talk to him, read with him, he will talk! 2 is a little old so you might see what your doctor has to say soon, because if there is a problem you can start working on it sooner.

Gina - posted on 09/09/2010

sorry I don't have time to read everyones replies, but my son was the same way. We did sign language w/ him. after awhile he started to say the word while signing like we did.. and now he doesn't use the signs he says (or at least in "Matthewese" as we call it) for the words. My hubby also didn't talk much, until he was put into a preschool. Same goes for my son, he's only gone 1 day, and is already talking at least 2 times a much! He'll talk when he's ready but I'd talk to his doctor to, it'll make you feel better! :) best of luck!

Joy - posted on 09/09/2010

I had three girls first and then a boy. I experienced the same thing with my son. The girls talked in full conversations by time they were 2. My son didn't start talking in full conversations until he was about 4. This I think is typical for boys. My husband was so glad because the girls always talked too much it drove him crazy! My son is now 14 and gets A's in school and is very intelligent just very quiet still and really doesn't talk that much but can if he wants to. Don't worry unless he reaches 4 and is still not able to say sentences or talk more than a word or two.

Krisanne - posted on 09/09/2010

just keep repeating the activities you are doing with him when bathing say the body parts when eating say the objects ie. bowl, spoon, more, all done eventually he will catch on. My boys still don't use their words often or at all. last night one of my boys called me mama from his crib and I went in and he had taken his foot out of his sleeper and said toes as he showed me his foot. It is a hit and miss with boys I think my daughter was not an early talker either but she was not as stubborn with her words either. I think 2 year olds know exactly what they are doing they just don't want to talk. the little turkeys =)

Dyisha - posted on 09/09/2010

Kayleigh,

Each child is different, yes boys do tend to develop slower than girls, but that is not always the case. Just continue to speak to him in a regular speaking voice (and don't let anybody speak that baby talk mess to him). They learn their first words and language from us, their parents. We speak to them in the womb by reading and playing music. That is part of the development. Speak with your pediatrician, sometimes there are underlying problems that can exist and trace back through both your family history and your husband's (if you're married, if not the father's history). That will also help, but as a few other posts have stated, they develop at their pace, my child talks a mile a minute and she's 2, but has been doing this since she turned 1 (I wish she wasn't talking sometimes!) They learn by repetition, reading aloud, and things of the sort. Point things out as your walking or out doing errands and say what they are, even around the house! Trust me, he is absorbing what you're saying....they are little sponges from birth-5! I even use the your baby can read series....it works for my daughter...again, each child is different, but try some sign language as well. They have baby sign classes. I took a few with my daughter....just another form of communication and not just for the deaf. My daughter and I both can hear, but she can speak to one of her older cousins (with the lil bit she knows) who is deaf. Take a breather and relax, don't stress yourself or your son. Hope this helps!

Kelly - posted on 09/09/2010

my son is the same way. he has just started to use more vocabulary and at that people ask what did he say. he just didn't want to talk much. just keep on with repeating the wordslike you have been dooing. it may seem that he doesn't remember but really the word is in there. andi've been told boys are slower learner that girls. my girl was yapping upa storm at a year and he's going on 3.

Chrissy - posted on 09/09/2010

My daughter has just now started really talking and she's gonna be 27 months in a couple of weeks. I think by just talking, you are teaching him new words. He just may be workign them out in his own head first. Lyssa understood most of what I said before she spoke most of the words. Dora the Explorer actually started her really talking and counting. She would ignore me, but she listened to that. Maybe one of those type of shows would help.

Danielle - posted on 09/09/2010

Honestly, he is listening and learning when you are trying to teach him new words, he just doesn't find the need to say them for some reason. maybe it's because you know all of his needs and just provide the important things for him. Try making him have to ask by not doing it unless he says something to you.
My daughter just started to blather on and on in the last 2 weeks and she is two also. Every child has their own time and there is no way to rush it. Just let him be. Try some baby Einstein movies as well. Shayla, my daughter, learned so many many words from those movies. I just put them on and lie her in bed next to me and we watch a movie every night. The animal one is the best. Once they start to speak and want to learn the words, it is non stop! don't worry:)

Hollie - posted on 09/09/2010

My little boy didn't start talking till he was 3 and we talked to him just like we talk to adults. He will pick up the words.

Jennifer - posted on 09/09/2010

Looks like there have been a LOT of posts, but in case another Speech and Language Pathologist hasn't put their 2 cents in, please let me.

If you are concerned at ALL about your child's language development, get him assessed. There's no harm and if the speech therapist DOES feel that your son needs some help, then you can be proud that you got him in as early as possible, instead of feeling guilty for waiting until he's older.

And I agree, get his hearing formally assessed by a pediatric audiologist to definitely, and scientifically rule out any hearing difficulties.

I would also suggest looking around to see if any SLP's in your area offer either Hanen Programme "You Make the Difference" or "Learning Language and Loving It." They are both excellent and will give you loads of ideas and ways to encourage communication.

Best,
Jennifer