how do i get my child to speak in sentences. He is three and can speak words but not sentences?

Question

i am in the process of getting him in speech therapy and he is on a list. is there anything in the mean time i can do to help him

Answer 1

Its good that you are seeking help, but please do not panic at this stage. As some others have suggested, role model by using longer sentences when talking to him, although, if he is only using single words, I would talk back to him only using 2-3 word sentences, as this is the next stage in the process, rather than full sentences at this point. ie "milk please" or "I want milk".

Also when you speak to him try and use questions that are "open ended". This means questions that do not require just a yes or no answer. So instead of saying to him "do you want milk?" instead try "do you want milk or juice?" Also questions that start with "who, what, why, where and how" also will encourage him to perhaps start responding with 2-3 words.

Use pictures to help your child as well. ie of a child kicking a ball. You can say "the boy is kicking".... if your child is saying "boy kicking" that is excellent, as words such as the, is, and, to (what is called joining words) will come later on, as will pronouns such as you, me, I.

Good luck, and don't pressure him, it will come with time and patience.

Answer 2

I am sure you are already doing this but try encouraging him by enforcing that he answer your questions or ask for something in a complete sentence,. If you ask "Would you like some yogurt?" And he says "Yes" then you need to say "Yes, I would like some yogurt" and have him repeat that. It may or may not help. Just don't turn it into a challenge. The process will take time and you don't want it to be a negative thing. Make it fun and smile while you are asking these questions; you don't want him to feel that you are unhappy with him. And please don't worry. Three is young; before you know it he'll be talking in complete sentences and you'll wonder what the big deal was.
When my son was 3 when I said "thank you" he would say "come". I finally figured out that he was saying "you're welcome" in his own way. I worried that he would never figure it out. Guess what? He's 15 and never says "come" anymore. He also doesn't wear diapers or cry when I leave him!

Answer 3

First of all turn the telly of and start talking WITH him and not to or at him.

Secondly give him time - lots of time. Not just in this conversation where he needs to get a word in edgewise, but also throughout life. I hope he is on the speech therapy list for years. He'll show you that it is just you being impatient. For heavens sake stop rushing him - let him develop naturally. Not in a forced way or in a pressure cooker.

Remember that kids learn what it buttons we have, as well as how and when to push them. The more you react to his appropriate use of language the more he'll use it to get what he wants.

So, take a chill pill and then take him somewhere where he can interact with kids his own age. Sit back and watch how he uses his whole body to communicate - not just with spoken language.

Answer 4

All kids come on at different stages and times, it doesn't mean your doing anything wrong, (look at how some kids grow faster than others) it doesnt mean there is anything wrong. Try and get him to copy you saying sentences, start it short like " I love you" break it down into the 3 words clearly, then get him to say it, make it a fun game..then start longer ones, like instead of when you ask a question which a yes or no answer is simply required, like Do you want some milk? whereas he will reply "yes" you could get him to say instead, "yes Id like some milk please". asking him loads of questions fun ones about toys,books cartoons etc where he will be excited to answer and use more words to explain. best of luck. Hope this helpsxxx

Answer 5

words r good for now, he should be speaking sentence within the next year or so. Remember don't rush him, because when he gets to that point your not going to like him that much, I should know right now I have my two nieces 1 in her months, the other four, then Im watching my sisters firends kids 1 is one, the other is 2 and the other is five, so its like 0,1,2,4,5, almost a complete stages from the time of birth to the age of five. So going from where you son ends(3 yrs) to where my niece begins(4yrs), then to the smart mouth 5 yr old,I got to tell you your not going to like him, it goes from a sweet little kid, can't talk, depending on you, to two bad a** kids who climbs up oon the counter to get a box of cereal that you took from them earlier(the 4 and 5 yr olds), who then used full sentences to blam it on the other, then talked back to me when I wooped them. So dont rush. Oh not to mention how they used full sentence to plan the whole thing out, very smart, but they should have put the cereal back, and not leave it on the floor.

Answer 6

For children learning language, the best thing you can do is be a language model for them. When you talk to them make sure you speak in full sentences. If your child uses one word to ask for something, model it back in a question.
e.g. your child says 'milk'
you say 'oh would you like a glass of milk?'
This is the tried and tested way of ensuring your children learn language. I work with lots of children in speech therapy and we are always advised to 'model' correct language patterns for them. Good luck!

Answer 7

I'm not an expert in this field, but I absolutely would not pressure him. Kids sometimes simply need to do things at their own pace. Taking him to a speech therapist is the right thing to do. In the meantime, expose him to as much language as possible. Read to him and take him the your public library's story sessions.

Answer 8

I have a son who is autistic we had to repeat over and over the sentences to get him to string them together
eg: he would say cookie we would say I want a cookie until he would finally form the sentence it takes time and alot of Patience

but it sounds like you are on the right tract getting them the help they need early

good luck

Answer 9

Talk to him in complete sentences. Read to him a lot. Every kid is different and every kid develops at his own pace. Yes, three is late to not be speaking in complete sentences, but it's not abnormal.

Answer 10

At 3 it's still normal. Just teach him everytime he makes an incomplete sentence and eventually he will make the sentences.