Looking for ways to get my 3 year old to talk?

Question

Our daughter will be 3 soon. She's an intelligent and playful young girl... but she still has a hard time being understood by others. Would love some book, game and/or song ideas for early talkers. Thanks in advance!

I didnt say my daughter doesnt talk or doesnt want to talk... I said that people can always understand her. Thanks for the referrals to therapy... but let's not go there. Lets try to parent and teach first. I love the response about respecting her silence. If only more people also believed in listening to our kids.

My point in this question was for ideas for activities..not a judgement on her development. Subtle, but big difference.

Answer 1

wow I hear you there. my son was the same way. One thing is by reading to her. books she likes going to the library and letting her pick out the books. Kentin loved this. Also simply repeating the words she misspeaks correctly in a kind gentle way. using language in her everyday activities is great like going on walks and talking about the things you see and do. MY son's issue was that he could talk and be understood about what was in the present like the car that was in front of him. but family memembers were asking him about things that were not right in front of him and he had a much harder time grasping at how to talk about abstract things. You may wish to see if this is part of the issue by asking her about things not there. if it is simply start to initate conversations about things you had done during the day. it will come in time. My husband always wondered why I used what he thought was "big" words with my kids they have excellent vocabularies.

I think it's great you choose to respect your child as an individual by the way. and I don't think your doing anything wrong by not having your child evaluated yet. many 3yr olds are not fully understood outside their immedate family. sometimes I think we push our kids to hard to "grow up"

I did chose to have my son looked at for speach therapy but he was 4 and going into Kindergarten the next year and people were still not understanding him. you still have plenty of time to work with your daughter. Most of his speach was delay because his siblings spoke for him:)

good luck
mom of 4(ages(14,13,11 and 5)

Answer 2

My son began talking at a very early age (about 7 months) he would say full 3-5 word sentences by a year. but the problem was people outside the famly needed the translation til he was two for the most part. then he told stories. the best thing to do is to read him kids books with alot of enthusiasm. dont let him piont to what he wants make him tell you. and when you guys are just hanging or when your doing dishes and he sits the playing wxplain to him what your doing. my son is now in preschool and he loves chatting to and about everyone.

Answer 3

My son had a few words, then lost them. At age 2 we took him for testing through an early intervention program. At age 3 (when early intervention is done), he was eligible for a developmental Pre-K. He has just now started a regular Kindergarten and has been totally declassified. He's doing great, thank God.

My advice: get your little angel tested through your local school district. It should be free. It is here in NJ. That way if she needs more help than you would be able to provide at home, she will get it. Good luck!

P.S. I am a 5th grade teacher with 24 years experience. I really recommend that you do this! :-)

Answer 4

Make sure she is "trying" to say the words instead of just pointing if she does this. Also pronounce the words to objects as you show them to her...let her look at your mouth. Also, reading to her a lot helps build vocabulary. Usually at 4 if they are still having a difficult time being understood, doctors recommend getting a speech evaluation. Just so you know, speech has nothing to do with your daughters intelligence...I am sure she is a very smart cookie!! Hang in there.

Answer 5

My son was like that. He's still like that, but getting better. You should have ehr evaluated by an ENT to make sure she can hear properly. My son had a hearing problem, too much fluid in his ears, and we had the tubes put in and I have seen such an improvement, it's unbelievable. Also, if it's not that, you should have her seen by her PED, maybe even refer her for speech therapy. My son hs also recieved services through milestones and let me tell you, it worked too. People will probably be quick to say, "Oh, it's autism.." Autism my butt. Anyway, here's a few suggestions..

When speakin to her, speak directly to her about two or three ft away from her face, and let her see your lips.

Talk to her alot. I cant stress this enough.. some parents dont speak to their children directly and then wonder why they dont speak.

If theres other children around, allow her to communicate with them. Children learn from other children.

I wish you the best in this. It's tough trying to communicate with a child who cant. It's stressful for them too.. my son used to get so stressed out when I couldn't understand him.

Also, in the meantime, you can try sign language. I taught my son some signs and that helped a bit too. Like for more, thank you,.. etc..

Answer 6

Interacting with other kids at daycare boosts a childs vocabulary. You can teach them some things, but I found my kid's vocabulary really grew while interacting with other kids. It's funny how they can teach eachother.

I used to walk around the room with my kids and point to various things in the room and say the word over a couple of times. Like 'door' or 'fireplace' or 'refrigerator'. There are certain things that will interest them more than other things and they will gravitate towards learning those words first.

Songs can definately help kids learn to say things. My kids absolutely love the kid's performer Laurie Berkner. You can find her CDs and DVD at Walmart or on Amazon.com. She is also on the Noggin Channel. We have about 4 of her CDs and my daughter knows all of the words to her songs.

Kids learn by repetition. So, it may drive you nuts to hear a kid's song 45 times in a row, the kids enjoy it and that is how they learn.

Answer 7

Did you have to teach her how to walk? To Cry? To Eat? To Play? Of course not. Perhaps she just does not want to talk right now. Trust that this is OK. Human beings are built with the innate ablility to learn and develop naturally as long as they are in a nurturing and encouraging environment. (Hint: encouraging is not the same as nagging...nor is it the same as making a giant production out of it...just simply being there and supporting) You may also be feeling alot of pressure from your friends or family members, whom, however well meaning, are giving you the message that you are doing something wrong, or Not doing something right, and by proxy, your little girl is absorbing this information. Believe me, at this age, a child can already begin to feel and to believe as if there is something "wrong" with them. Protect her choice not to speak. YOU are her voice and her protector right now. If someone tries to cajole or manipulate or bribe her into speaking...STAND UP FOR HER. Tell her, its fine if she doesn't want to talk right now. Tell the person "I need you to stop. I know you are trying to help, but I know my daughter better than anyone, and I will not make her speak until she wants to." Don't apologize.
She will decide when and if she wants to verbalize herself. Until then, respect her right to freedom. Sooner or later she will find a way of communicating that works for her.

Answer 8

It may be coincidental, but I constantly sing to my kids 1 and two and they are both a bit ahead of the game in talking.

Answer 9

I would recommend just talking to her like an ordinary adult (not baby talk). If she's intelligent, she'll develop much faster. And don't get her involved with Santa Claus and myths like this, because it's harmful.

And be patient. It sounds like you love her, and this is great.

Answer 10

You should have her evaluated at Easter Seals. She may need speech therapy.