Moms,dads: I need some help!?

Question

My son is 15 months old, and he is not talking yet. He is talking all day,but not real words. Sometimes he sounds like he is saying some words,but they are not clear. Should he already talk clearly or it's ok the way he talks? He does say mama dada,dady clearly and he tryes to repeat words that we say,but its not comming out clear. Is he behind? Im hungarian,my husband is american,so our baby is learning two languages and he does understand us both if we tell him basic words.
He is our first baby and we are worried. He is so smart,and beautiful,we just don't know if this is normal, or we did someting wrong.
Thank you !

Answer 1

The most important thing at this point is receptive speech - does he understand your words? If so, there's very likely no problem.

When our son was 18 months, the doc wanted 9 words from him. It turned out she didn't care if he said them once and never again. Just nine words.

He spoke late but he was so thoughtful and had such deep thoughts, I think he wanted to wait until he could do his thoughts justice. As it was, at around three, he would say 'um um um' a lot, as you could see the words just pile up in his brain as his tongue strained to say them. And we waited patiently, and were rewarded with sentences like, "this is how odysseus must have felt when he landed on the beach at ithaca."

That nursery rhyme had so much wisdom in it - "leave them alone and they'll come home, wagging their tails behind them." (It usually works out just fine if we just relax.)

Enjoy your beautiful boy. And keep up the bilingualism. My girlfriend's kids heard arabic, english, and german growin up - sometimes she'd put all three languages in one sentence. Her kids are, uh, brilliant! And trilingual. At 9 and 5.

Answer 2

First of all, babies develop at different rates. Parents often worry when their babies don't reach typical developmental milestones, but usually their children catch up on their own time schedule.

With that said, however, your observations of your son should be relayed to your pediatrician. Even if your son hears two different languages, he should still be able to speak more than two or three words by 15 months of age. The fact that he is trying to speak and repeat after you but the words do not come out clearly could indicate that he might have a speech or hearing problem.

Don't worry. It is nothing you did as parents and nothing that can't be remedied, especially because you caught it so early. Treatment and therapy can help him catch up quickly.

Of course, this is assuming that there is something wrong. It could be that there is nothing wrong at all. Children exposed to two languages might take longer to speak even though their little minds are very smart and taking in a lot of knowledge!

Your doctor should recommend an evaluation just to be sure all is well. It's best to have it checked out and be safe than sorry.

Good luck! :)

Answer 3

Because he is growing up in a house where two languages are spoken he may take a while before he starts talking. Both my children are growing up in a bilingual home and they both started talking between the ages of 18 - 24 months. Don't worry, unless he isn't talking by 2 1/2 - just enjoy him while he is a baby. Remember that all children develop on their own time and shouldn't be rushed. When you wipe your eyes out - he will be a six year old that is being sassy!!!!

Answer 4

Well it may be hard for him to learn two languages at once so it might take him longer to talk. But I know babies older then yours just learning a couple of words. Just talk to him a lot and read him a lot of stories and make sure to say every word clearly without baby talk and the like so that way he knows the actual way to pronounce the word in each language.

Answer 5

This is something you should really consult on with your pediatrician. But often times we like to rush our kids into doing things or we are made to feel "wierd" because someone elses kids were walking or potty trained before ours. There is never really a right answer as to when is the best time for things to happen. Sometimes kids just do things at their own pace and that is ok! No need to worry until you have spoken to your son's doctor. If indeed he is alittle behind the doctor will have some wonderful opportunities to help him catch up.
Good luck to you and your boy!

Answer 6

He's fine. You haven't done anything wrong. Not all babies develop at the same time. At 15 months my boys only said a few words, by two years I couldn't get them to shut up. They were speaking in full sentences. I found that putting them around other kids helps immensely. They learn a LOT from other children. So find a play group in your area with babies and toddlers about his age. That way you can make new friends as well! Hope that helps!! =)

Answer 7

All kids develop @ different rates. I wouldn't be worried at all. He is making the effort 2 talk & that's all that matters @ his age. Some suggestions would be that when ur talking 2 him that u slow down and emphasise each word. As adults we have a habit of talking fast & they end up repeating just what they heard which is a bunch of words running together. Another technique that's taught @ my sons preschool is clapping 4 each syllable of a word.For instance "elephant" u would clap once while saying "el", clap again while saying "e" , then clap again while saying "phant". It really helps my son when he's having trouble pronouncing a word.

Answer 8

I have a three year old and worked in a daycare for two years.. I worked in the one year old classroom. If the child is learning two languages it will take a while. They are slower than the normal kids only learning one. I had one child that was learning three... he didnt talk till he was two. But we went through classes at the daycare and was taught this doesnt mean they are behind at all. As long as you are both talking to him and giving him attention... and keep talking to him he will be fine. Just give it some time!

Answer 9

Every child develops language skills at different times. 15 months old really isn't -that- old to not be speaking, especially in a multi-lingual home. To help him a little, it might be useful to favor one language over another for a while, just to get him started, but honestly, at 15 months, it's nothing to be alarmed about. He'll get it eventually. If he's still having trouble at 2, then you should take him to the doctor, and probably to a speech therapist. But your son will change -so- much between now and then, so just enjoy it!

Answer 10

well, since the baby is hearing two languages at once, he may be a little confused, but i'm sure he's fine. the fact that he is "jibber-jabbering" is good. that's how words start to form and his tongues muscle strengthen. (yes, the tongue is a muscle that needs to be exercised in order to speak properly). he probably is saying actual words, but you just don't understand him and that's o.k. because in time, the words will form. don't worry if the words he repeats aren't coming out clear, just be sure you praise and encourage him when he is talking to you and trying to repeat what you say. also, babies and toddlers developed at such different rates, don't compare him to other babies. i would recommend that by age three, if he is still "jibber-jabbering" only, then take him to a specialist. but from now until then, you'll be surprised how much he will be saying.