Why doesn't my son say more?

Question

My son is 2 and he doesn't say awhole lot and i was wondering when should i start to worry i know he knows more than he lets on to me knowing. Or is there something out there i can do to provoke him to talk? Help please.

Answer 1

My son is two and a half, and he is just starting to say a lot more it was just mama and dada for the longest time, but he walked at 9 months. My daughter was just the opposite she was talking really well at 18 months but would not walk alone until about 14 months(she is now four). Really what I am trying to say is don't worry, I am sure he is fine.

Answer 2

I will only share what I have learned or know I do not say it is 100% fact. My father is a Psychiatric nurse and so he was always worried that we might have developmental problems. One of my brothers barely spoke and my little sister spoke late but now she speaks in sentences very complex for her age. What I learned from class is that though there may be an average age in which children begin to speak more, it really varies from child to child and a more reserved child is probably going to speak less. I mean we each have personalities and these personalities tend to emerge at a young age. Environment can be a factor as well. I wound not personally provoke a child to talk, forcing a child can sometimes cause mistrust and they may back off even more and be less responsive. Now if a child is quiet and almost completely unresponsive, sitting staring off into space or completely ignoring human contact. You might do some research.

Answer 3

The question is, what does he say? Will he answer a yes or no question? Will he repeat new words you teach him? Are there words he used to say and has now stopped saying? Statiaticly, boys talk later than girls, but language delay can be a sign of a more serious disorder, such as autism. If you feel your concern is valid, ask you doctor or school district for a referral to an early intervention program(I think most states have one, in CA it is regional center)

Answer 4

If you are concerned, talk to his doctor about it. They can rule out any physical problems such as ordering a hearing test. Or the doctor can be reassuring that he is doing fine. When I was a baby I didn't talk because I was 80% deaf due to a lot of fluid build up in my ears. My mom told me that once I got tubes in my ears I couldn't sleep and would always startle easy because I wasn't use to all of the noise. Of course I eventually got use to hearing again. My niece wasn't talking until they discovered she was "tongue tied". The doctor snipped the little piece of skin under her tongue and she started talking like crazy. Sometimes it's something physical and simple to solve. But boys do tend to take longer to talk.

If you want to encourage his speech read books to him, sing to him and encourage him to sing too. That teaches a lot of words. Also use dialog when talking to him. Explain what you are doing while you are doing it. For example I'm going to say baby since I don't know your child's name, "Baby is thirsty, huh? Does baby want a drink? Mommy is pouring juice in a sippie cup because baby is thirsty. Are you drinking the juice? Yes baby is drinking the juice. Baby likes the juice. Now baby isn't thirsty because you drank the juice!" You can use that form of speech every time you are doing something with him. That will not only teach how to say words by also teach word association. For example he'll know that hungry is what he is feeling, or that he wants a drink when he's thirsty. It works great! My four year old talks so much that sometimes I'd wish she be quiet for just one minute *LOL*!

Good luck and your love for your son really shows because you care for him so much! Way to go mom!

Answer 5

My son was the same way. He was actually near 2.5 when he started saying words. His pediatrician was a bit concerned, so she suggested we increase his interaction with other children. Since he is an only child, he is mostly with grownups, who usually are good at predicting what he wants or needs (thereby not making verbal communication unnecessary). Also, our doctor suggested we cut down on his video time. Sitting in front of the tv is mostly a passive activity, and doesn't encourage communication, too.

Don't sweat it! Children develop at a different pace.

Answer 6

My son was the same way when he was young, and I had the same worries. But I'll tell you, when my son finally started talking, it was none of this ga-ga-goo-goo crap. My man had been listening long enough that it did not take him long to start making sentences and expressing independent thought. Some children choose to observe first, before they break out. If you don't see improvement by age 3, perhaps you should seek the advice of a developmental specialist.

Answer 7

Every child has his or her time to talk, its OK for you to be worried about his progress, give him some time, about 6 months. If he continues the same, take him to a doctor that can evaluate neurodevelopment. Remember they are a few conditions like Asperger Syndrome that include language disorders.

Answer 8

When he is ready to really talk he will. My nephew didn't talk when I was around other than momma and dadda until he was 3 years old he said my name. It was music to my ears, but from that day on we couldn't get him to shut up! If he has an older sibling this could also be a good explanation. Why talk when big brother/sister can talk for you?

Answer 9

boys are slwoer to develop language skills than girls, for one. He may not have anything to say. As long as you speak to him, words will just start popping out his mouth before long. Check with your pediatrician if it really worries you, he or she might have some ideas, but there is most likely nothing wrong. =)

Besides, as my mom told me "you'll spend the first few years teaching them to walk and talk, and the next 20 telling them to sit down and be quiet". =)

Answer 10

Every child is different. My nephew didn't talk a lot at that age either, but as he got closer to three, MY GOD, you couldn't shut the kid up.
I'd give him a bit more time before you start worrying, although I know that, as his mother, that is a natural instinct.