how do I encourage my two year old to speak. she hardly says anything at all except a few words.?

Answer 1

She may just have nothing much to say! I couldn't get my baby girl to clam up! LOL But I DO have a suggestion:

Buy her some babies videos that have songs and actions. Watch the show with her and teach her the words to the songs so that verbalization is a terrific game to her. The older she gets, the more she will want to talk!

One more thing ... my little girl talked so much because I talked to her every waking minute. LOL

If I were making her dinner I would tell her, "Look at this I'm making you for supper! Wow! Little chicken strips and lovely little baby carrots and mashed potatoes! A feast for a Princess! And, to go with it, Mademoiselle, I have a wonderful glass of apple juice made from the finest apples in the world!"

If we were walking home from daycare I'd say something like: "Take my hand little Princess and we will cross the road to the other side. And then we walk along the sidewalk which leads to our wonderful apartment! And when we get to our building, we will say hi to the flowers outside the lobby door ... Say hi to the flowers. HI FLOWERS! And then we'll go in and go to the elevator and you can press the button but you must say in an important voice, This is Heather the button-pusher who will make the door close and take us UP!"

Just little blah, blah, blah every day things that will help her become observant of the world around her and teach her all the words she needs to know because she hears them from you all the time. Some of the words might be a challenge for her but in time, she'll become fluent in Mommy-Babble! A child can be taught ANYTHING if it's made into a game!

Best of luck to you and the Princess!

Answer 2

Talking to her ("narrating" your day), as someone else said above, is your best bet, along with reading to her consistently, singing (even, or maybe especially, made-up songs about bananas or putting on the coat or leaves). If you think she CAN say more than she does, but just doesn't want to, encourage her to use words -- in other words, you'll get to a point where you don't want to give her things when she just points and grunts.

Also, have you tried baby sign language? Studies have shown that kids who sign talk earlier (something about the connection they make at an earlier age that things they communicate get results). It can also help teach good manners, since they have to "say" please and thank you as part of the sign.

I would have to disagree strongly with people who suggest "educational" videos and all that sort of stuff. I've seen 3-year-olds who spend a couple hours a day in front of the TV who don't know how to respond to a person who speaks to them -- TV is so one-directional, and unless you're there with her, engaging her, I wouldn't do it. Besides, if you're there with her, you might as well shut off the TV and sing a song and play patty-cake or something instead.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV for kids 2 and under, and only 1-2 hours of quality TV for kids over 2.

Answer 3

I have a nephew who didnt speak until he was 3 when they started to take him to a speach Therapist. But Alot of the work was done at home by his parents on the advice of the Teacher. They try to get him to watch thier mouths when the speak so that they see how the letters are formed. and over pronounce them
as Well as give Everything a name cup milk juice everything he plays with just non stop talking. But as most ppl Are saying all kids develope differently the only thing i would worry about is if he has lots of ear infections.. then i would deff consider checking with a Dr.

Answer 4

I have a 2 yr old. She is speaking very clear now since I have been working with flash cards daily. I get her to say her colors, her letters, and count with her. We read books every day and that helps. The leap frog pad helps too. We watch sesame street and interact with it. You do not, by any means, set your child in front of the TV and expect them to be taught. Say a word over and over till the child repeats it. They are like parrots right now and repeat everything.
If after two months of doing that as much as you can and your child still will not say anything take her to her doctor and talk to them about this.

Answer 5

Kids develop at their own speed. My son didn't really talk until he was 2. He had the ability to speak he just chose not to. I would ask him questions he had to answer with verbal responses. I read to him more and tried to get him to tell us what he saw in the books. One thing that really helped was getting him to interact with other kids his age so that he had to communicate by talking. Once he started pre-school at 2 1/2 he began to talk a lot more and his vocabulary expanded. Now he talks non-stop. Just be patient.

Answer 6

Kids do things that are fun and (naturally selfish as we humans are) that will get things for them. Asking questions 'which toy do you want to play with?', 'would you like an apple or a banana?', or just playing games naming things may help.

Some kids just won't talk/walk/be potty trained until they are ready.

Answer 7

Dont stress about it...every kid is different! But make sure when you ask her a question, it isnt one she can just answer yes or no to...believe me, someday when she can hardly catch a breathe between droning on and on about boys, clothes and shopping..you'll look back at these sweet quiet moments quite fondly!!

Answer 8

Dont worry, when they start talkin, they wont quit.
Sing rhymes with the child or put cartoons on .
The child will come around believe me and then u cant keep em quiet.

Answer 9

keep on trying, talk to your child in a very clear words even though the child is not answering it will soon register and till the time your child is ready to talk.

Answer 10

Talk and sing with her as much as possible. Good luck.