My Granddaughter is 16 months old and is still not talking!!?

Question

This is my first grand child and I am a bit rusty to say the least. She is making different sounds, can say Da Da, the first sylable of a few words and I have taught her some sign language. She picks up on different tasks easily and her motor skills are good but her vocabulary is still very limited. Should I be more concerned since she is not talking at 16 months or just let nature take its course??

Answer 1

Don't worry. Babies all develop at different rates. For instance, one child I knew never, ever crawled. Never. Simply went from scooting around on the floor to walking. Weird. Anyway, as one other poster mentioned, as long as you're sure she can hear, then things are almost certainly fine.

And it's NOT a sign of lack of intellegence. Albert Einstein didn't really talk much until age 9. Imagine that!

Answer 2

I think that if the girl is responding to noises and sounds and she doesnt seem to have any hearing problems, than all is fine. 16 months is still very young, My son is gonna be 2 on the 17th of this month and he has only just started to make an effort in talking. Every child is different though and she may develope faster in other area's first... Good Luck... and just remember to encourage and praise, dont be concerned yet...

Answer 3

Your granddaughter should be saying small sentences at two
and water ect,it may be your children are raising the child slightly different then you did them.Maybe they havent "talked "to her
as some people think this is silly and think babies don't or
won't gain anything from this stimuli.People should talk to theyre
infants even though they feel silly.It's not silly at all.Maybe your
grandchilds home is a awful quiet one.Whats the worry ?
You talk to her.I agree with the above "ask" her and name
it out .If she goes motioning for water.Ask her to say it.
If you think the child could have an hearing difficiency .
Test it out.It's easy.You can try it from different distantances
at different times."so she don't catch on" here it is..When she
is playing quietly in another room ect.watch her while making a surprising sharp noise like clapped hands or a bang on a pot
(not too loud) She should abruptly turn her head toward the startling sound.It is a perfect age to rule out these possibilities
if they are slightly suspected.But like I said it most likely is
the parents who want to keep theyre little baby as such as long
as possible.Who knows.I don't understand the "sign language part"If your daughter or son(?inlaws)are deaf or hearing impaired
that would explain it.They should then invest in talking books and toys and sit down with her to use them.Expression is very important .And language is the key to expressing oneself in
a typical environment or eventually(school ect) If that is the case.
The inability to express oneself if noone else understands
can lead to frustration and aggression,or the direct opposite
this depend on the childs temperment,disposition as it is as well.

Answer 4

I have a 3 and 1/2 year old. From what I can remember, the Dr will not "worry" about a baby not speaking until the 2nd birthday. The important thing right now is, does she undertand what you are saying? If you ask her to hand you a toy, does she know what you are talking about? If she is understanding you, there is no need to worry at this point. I am not a doctor.

Answer 5

I don't know what state you live in, but there is something here in texas called E.C.I. early childhood intervention. they are affilliated with the mental health mental retardation group from our city. You can call and have them come out and do a free evaluation, and let you know if there are issues, and if she is in the right place developmentally for her age. I am not saying she is retarded, some children just take longer to catch up, especially if they are surrounded by many adults or older siblings who do everything for them instead of making them speak to ask for what they want. If the issue is not serious, then they may give you some suggestions on how to get her to catch up! I just realized it says your granddaughter, so maybe have your daughter or son ask the pediatrician first, and suggest it if it will not offend them! Good Luck!

Answer 6

Hello. My son is 21 months old and can only say 6 words which he just learned in the last couple of months are he still can't speak very clear. we have asked the dr about his development and were told he is a bit behind but nothing to be worried about. she said the general rule they would like to see a 24 mnth old say 50 words. I got my son in a program called first steps and "parents as teachers" these are both free programs and have really taught me how to teach him. granted everything takes time but I think they are helping. In my experience I do not think I would worry to much over your granddaughter.
good luck

Answer 7

Dont worry! She will develop at her own rate. My son is almost 18 months and still doesn't talk a whole lot. He says "mommy" and "thank you" which sounds like "DayDoo"
As long as she is functioning normally she'll be ok. Also, if she's an only child it might take a bit longer because they don't have siblings to talk to them.

Answer 8

I think she should be say 2-3 word other than mama and Dada. I'm not a doctor but that's what I've read. but i don't think she's behind. My daughter is just turned 15 months old and i try to talk and read to her as much as i can. I ask her to say thing randomly everyday just so she won't forget how to say them. Like if were playing blocks i say are you playing blocks can you say blocks? then i just go on from their I'll ask her to say all the words she knows then ask her to say words doesn't know, and i prays her even it doesn't like anything i said. hope that helps and don't worry she'll be fine.

Answer 9

the 1st child is usually spoilt. I have seen alot of my friends children not speaking for along time, because every time they make a noise everyone runs to then to see what they want. If they get that response, they have no NEED to learn to talk and tell you what they need.
So could it be that??
Otherwise, she may be toung tied, or have other problems?
How is her hearing??
If she's not getting ran to, I'd maybe take her to a paediatrician, just to check her out?

Answer 10

My 15 month old doesn't talk using multiple syllables that much. He says DaDa, MaMa, Kitty Kitty (which sounds like tit tit), hey, bye bye, puff (for cheese puff), bite (when he wants a bite). Just keep in mind that WE know what he's saying, but someone outside of our home wouldn't be able to make out anything except for dada, mama and bye bye.