Should my 2 1/2 year old be saying more?

Question

Recently, my sons day care centre has expressed concern regarding my sons speech. At home he is fine, he can ask for what he wants and if he cant get it out, he shows me. At school apparently he does not talk to any other kids and doesnt interact. They say he should be asking them to pass him things and asking them to play with him, but he doesnt. They think he has a speech delay but I think he is just finding his feet at his own speed. In the last month he has started to say so much more. What should a 'normal' 2 1/2 year old be saying by now?

Answer 1

I'm a Group Leader in a childcare and the children in my class are aged 2.5 to 4 years. Firstly, the day care service your child attends should realise that each child developes at his/her own pace, and your childs carers should be spending quality one on one time with him to gain his trust and build his confidence so he feels comfotable in his environment to speak if he wishes. I have children in my care aged 2.5 years, some talk sentences and respond verbally to questions, while there are others that use key words like cup, drink, ta, ball ect. Maybe you should spend some time at daycare and observe his interractions with carers and peers yourself. Your his mother, you be the judge of that. To encourage him to speak more, when he points to things he wants, encourage him to tell you what it is verbally that he wants, if he doesn't know the right word for it, then tell him eg, When he point to cup you say to him "Drink please". This will demonstrate to him the correct words to use. If your concerned about his level of language, seek advice from a speech therapist. Good Luck

Answer 2

Every child is different. I had a friend who's parents said she didn't speak, at all, until she was 3. And she's normal. So, who knows. I think it's relative. You're his Mommy. I think you would know if something was wrong. Perhaps he's just shy. Or it could be that he is a little delayed but catching up. If you're concerned address the issue with his pediatrician. He/She would be able to tell you if speech therapy would be recommended.

Best wishes.

Answer 3

Firstly, dont stress! My son never said a legible word until he was three, and they tried to pinpoint all sorts of problems onto him. He may have delayed speech but so did my son and I am sure there are many others. He is way too young for them to be worrying you, child care centres tend to pigeon hole kids, they forget that they are individuals too and will learn at their own speed.

Answer 4

I don't know about "normal" but I know that when my child was 2 1/2, I was saying please just be quiet a while!!! And at 5, he still doesn't shut up. But there were other children that just didn't talk much at that age and there was absolutely nothing wrong with them. But do try to encourage you son to use his words when he needs something. When he has to show you what he wants, tell him how to say it, and don't give it to him until he AT LEAST TRIES to say it. Even if he doesn't get it right, as long as he tries, then give it to him.

Answer 5

My daughter is 2 years ten months and she is the same way. Shes talks at home, but at school sometimes they tell me that she seems sad and quiet. However, when I ask her about it, she tells me how much she loves school and her friends and teachers. Sometimes when I pick her up, one of the older kids will tell me "She talked today!"

My daughter has never ever asked another child, even her cousins to play with her. Either our kids are introverts, shy, observers, or they just like to take things in at their own speed.

No worries about your son, but I'd be a little worried about a dat care center that has such specific expectations of toddlers.

Answer 6

Every child matures differently, my friend's sister's son will be three and still doesn't speak yet. The doctors said not worry until he is three, then he will get the proper tests done. Wikipedia provides a good chart on the 'averages'.

Answer 7

If your concerned talk to your pedi. Personally I would not worry, as long as he is showing normal development otherwise. My son didn't talk real early either, but is very normal and smart now. Also sounds like hes a bit shy, or maybe doesn't like his daycare.

Answer 8

If your son can get what he wants without saying anything, why would he talk? My friend is having the same issue. She learned that she has to encourage her child to say what she wants. It is helping her a lot. She is 2yrs and 8 months. Her doc said that it is natural for a child that has someone to respond to thier gestures, to speak later.

Answer 9

well i dont know how much a 'normal' 2 1/2 year old should say but for example my mom told me when i was 18 months old i could say 93 words where as my younger sister when she was 18 months old could only say 8 or 9 but my younger sister turned out smarter ....go figure. its just how quickly your child develops...if you are worried though call up a speech therapist and seek their opinion

Answer 10

i have a 20 month old that is not talking that much she should be talking at least 150 words is what i have been told by my older daughters speech teacher. so i called birth to three they came and investagated and told me that she understands everything but her talking is just because she doesn't want to. she talks to us (the words she knows) but she won't talk to some body she doesn't know or doesn't like. but like the speech teachers told us she will talk when she is ready to. hope that helps.