what is the age for a toddler to start speaking?

Question

my 17 month old daughter says basic words once in awhile but I hear other children around her age talking more, I read to her everyday is there more that I can do?

Answer 1

Don't get caught up in this. I have 4 kids, and they each did their own thing. My 4yr old spoke the best at an early age. He did everything early. He had all of his teeth by the time he was 10 months old. He spoke very plain and very well at 15 months, could repeat anything you told him too, just as well as you. He could carry on a full conversation with an adult at 18 to 20 months, but he was the only one. My 2yr old doesn't speak well at all, she has a sort of lisp when she says anything with an "S." It drives me crazy, but I know one day she'll get over it, and if she doesn't, well there's always speech therapy, or we'll just deal with it. My older two children, they did fairly well. They ususally learn to speak better when their around other children. They seem to pick it up better from other children than from their parents. I think it's also what the talk is about. I wouldn't worry just yet. My friend's daughter didn't speak any words except mama, dada, bubba, cup. This went on until she was over three, and we tried to help her but she didn't want too. She's 13 now and all is well with her.

Answer 2

They are all different. My daughter is 21 months and is just starting to say some basic sounds, but others her age are like parrots...repeating everything. I was concerned, but then my mum pointed out that both my sister and I didn't speak properly till we were about 3 1/2 - 4 years...and we both have done very well in life! Also, my daughter is very coordinated...she is doing things that others her age can't even begin to try...so, I guess what I am trying to say is that they all develop in their own time. Just keep doing what you are doing and it will fall into place.

Answer 3

My husband is an exceptionally intelligent person who just isn't very social or verbal. He was very quiet in his early childhood. When he was about three his mom caught him practicing the names of family members in his crib one night before sleeping. This was a huge relief and some of the first words she heard him use. He did need speech therapy later but he is fine now. My son took a while to speak and he could be considered speech delayed but he is so smart I am not too worried. Anyone who watches him make a point they hadn't considered, or watches him rock on his video games, they know how smart he is. He does seem to have some selective mutism, but that is an anxiety disorder, not truly a speech disorder. I am more worried that he is afraid to write and draw letters, but he recognizes them.

Answer 4

just keep reading to her and encouraging her to use words instead of gestures such as pointing. She's still quite young. My son was slow to talk - in fact he was diagnosed with a speech delay. Now, he's 3 1/2 and says anything he wants. Some children are slow talkers. Give her time. If you continue to be concerned, talk to her pediatrician. It can't hurt. Good Luck.

Answer 5

yes relax. Your tension will translate to her and possibly slow her progress. Keep reading to her. learn to listen more closely I was beginning to worry about our little girl talking until I really listened to the baby babble. She tends to run all the words together like one great big word but I listened more closely and I realized that she was talking a lot more than I thought and I could understand her very well if I listened harder. now we converse all day. I only get about half of it on a good day but I have noticed that the tantrums have all but stopped because she is not so frustrated in her attempts to communicate because now most of the time I get it.

Answer 6

It's quite possible that all the little "murmurs, and babbles" are her words they just haven't completely formed yet. Listen closely to what she is trying to say, you may find some babbles are consistent. Odds are when she starts she will just blossom. 17 months is about right, mine says about 15 words at this age. He is just at the corner though, and soon will come out with tons more.

Answer 7

Start making a list of everything your child says, you may be suprised that she is saying more than you intially thought. Also, children develop at different stages, there is no cookie cutter kid. However, if you find that she is not speaking on her level, have her evaluated. My daughter, at two y/o, could only say, "no" and "mommy", she had had constant ear infections, we had tubes put placed and within a few weeks her vocabulary was unbelievable.

Answer 8

Talk to her.
Read to her.
Take her to library story times.
Point out things to her and name them.

Is she more advanced physically? Sometimes kids will work on one set of skills for a while and THEN try to master another. For example, two of my nephews. One walked really early and could do anything physical but was a late talker and took forever to speak clearly. The other was a late walker but could speak in clear sentences and tell long stories by the time he was 18 months.

Answer 9

You need to require her to communicate with you. I started coaxing my 13 month old to say "mommy" every time he wanted to be picked up, and now he says it perfectly. I just wouldn't pick him up until he at least tried. I've been doing this for about a month now and he can say Daddy, Mommy, Doggie, Yummy, HI, Nana, my name Shannon, and his soon to be brother's name Seth. If it isn't perfect, he tries to make the sounds out. He is doing so good, and gets so excited when I clap and make a huge deal out of what a good job he did.
My advise, make her tell you what she wants, dont just do it because you know what she wants, she has to TELL you.

Answer 10

Well it all depends on the child.
If you read to her and talk to her alot she will pick up your language quickly.
But don't try to force her and don't apply any pressure either.

You really don't have to worry about her speech.