child language problem?

Question

i am a preschool teacher 4 years now teaching i have a student who is 2 years and ? months old and does not say a single word he only has the baby talk but no sound of letters when he cries he doesnt make a sound but i know he can hear because he says yes/no with his head and when you call his name he turns, no wierd conduct or anything he just doesent say words any ideas? any exercise i can do with him any links? Thanks

Answer 1

I'm not convinced this is really a problem. Kids vary.

A lot.

I knew a boy who didn't speak words until over 2 1/2, then spoke clearly and distinctly, with a big vocabulary, fairly suddenly.

Among his first words was "chocolate cookie" which he spoke quite distinctly, I recall. Nothing wrong with him in the least.

I'm not sure that trying to push him faster than it is natural for him to go is a good idea.

Is there a way to consult with someone with more expertise?

You say "no weird conduct" -- any other peculiarities? Does he play in similar ways, and seem interested in similar kinds of things as others, or does his behavior seem stunted?

Pushing him is likely to give him the message that there's something wrong with him, that's he's inadequate, that you want to make him be different than he is.

You could experiment with playing word-based games with him and see how he takes it -- you know, silly repetitive "Where's the...?" "What's this?" sort of stuff, to see if he's receptive to working with words.

Sorry I don't have links -- have you tried putting key words into your favorite search engines?

You could look for sites on language development, and see if there are links for parents and teachers.

Are his parents concerned?

As I say, kids vary a lot more than people realize, and some kids just take their own time with things -- Einstein not speaking until 4 being one famous example.

Trying to force them into a time-line is counter-productive and harmful.

Maybe you can find some FAQs or diagnostic tools to see if he has some kind of problem, or to find out that he is OK just as he is.

Answer 2

You might want to suggest having the childs hearing tested. My daughter is mildly deaf and getting her hearing aids has improved her speach. Try teaching him one new word a week. Also you can see if he is understanding words and just not saying them. Place two objects in front of him that he will like. A block and a ball. Point to the ball look at him and say ball. Make sure he is looking at your mouth. Then point at the block and say block. Then ask him to hand you one. You will need to do this a few times to cut out the luck factor. But it will teach him new words. Once you know he understands the words try to get him to say them. Always have him look at your mouth to copy your mouth movements. It is a slow road but well worth it.
You should express your concerns to his parents. He may have a problem that they know about but they haven't shared with you. You are so caring to want to help him. Good luck.

Answer 3

children do have different characters.i want to believe the child is scared of talking as some children are scared of taking their first steps because they are afraid of falling.first of all,try to know if the child is the same at home.if he is,he needs to see a language therapist[maybe he hears too many mixed up language at home or elsewhere and is highly confused what to say in response to your queries].though his case is not that rare.however,if this is not happening at home,the child might just be scared of school and all you need do is encourage him and talk to him as if he is actually like the other children.let him have the belief in you that you know he can hear you.once his confidence in you is built, maybe he can establish himself in the language you speak to him either as a first language or second