my 2 yr old son refuses to talk sometimes when he wants something?

Question

sometimes he will ask for things but mostly he just starts whinging and pointing despite knowing the words for what he wants.
how do i get him to start asking instead?

i forgot to add i have tried the "use your words" method and simply not giving in until he talks but he is that stuborn he would rather go without than actually speak

Answer 1

you could try to make it kind of silly. You obviously know what he wants, right? So, pretend you don't. Grab other things near by and say things like 'this?'. Play dumb. Tell him you don't know what he is pointing at. Keep getting it wrong. You could also try to prompt the word...say the beginning of it...e.g. if he wants juice, say 'juuuu........' or even 'j.......' and wait expectantly. Pretend you don't even notice his whining and pointing...or say while you are getting it wrong say things like, "I wish I knew what you wanted. I wonder if you could tell me."

I understand you've tried waiting him out, but don't give in. He only learns each time that you will give in...this actually reinforces this behavior and makes it more likely to occur. Anytime you change what you are doing, he's, at first, going to try even harder to make it work. If you really stick to your guns and ignore that whining while at the same time making a production out of it when he finally says what he wants e.g. "ooooohhhhh! THAT'S what you wanted. I'm sorry....I'm SO glad you told me with your words what you wanted. That way I can understand you."

Of course, all of this is assuming he knows and has the words for these things. If he doesn't that's another matter.

Answer 2

A 2 year old is still learning, and it's not so much talking, but learning the myriad of ways to relate and communicate. He will try new a different ways to say the same thing. They experiment a lot with language and behavior, mostly to see what type of reaction they can get. Remember that if you get annoyed, he might think that's interesting, and want to do it more. They don't yet completely understand emotions, so he may not be able to interpret that you disapprove. I'd say just point at what he's pointing and say the name.
My son did that for a while. He'd do it when he was in certain moods. He was adamant in saying "mmmmh" and pointing, but we kind of didn't pay too much mind, and just said what he wanted. I think it was just another game.

Answer 3

Don't make such a big thing of it, sometimes when a toddler start talking,it makes them wonder where the sounds is coming from. Remember his only 2 years old and right now his on this mode that either he say a words or not. I am a mother of 3 and my first born(girl) was a bit similar but in a different way. All she does was mumble around, words seems not making sense to us and yet she was trying to talk. As a mother I worried a lot, even for a simple thing but like what they say,its a mothers instinct to worry about little thing.
Try not to force him, nothing is wrong with him, some will tell you to see a doctor, but as a mother it's one of those that little kids goes through with their age. Next time sit with him,and do a little play around with colors and fruit, then make sure that his paying attention ,talk to him like I like this color yellow, or banana is good for my body. Try those technique and before you know it,he will get the big picture of whats going on around him...............but most of all just love him...

Answer 4

My granddaughter was the same way. At first we (my daughter and I) would just keep asking her what she wanted, until we got to the correct object. She does have a speech problem, but we knew that the only way to correct it was to have her talking. When she would want something she had to request it, we would not allow her to whine or cry, she had to pronounce each word or at least try to pronounce it. Also there were times when we did not understand what she was saying, and we would ask her older sister what she was saying. She eventually got tired of that, and told us that we need to really listen to her. But anyway, she is almost four, and there are a few words that she does not pronounce properly, but she no longer whines or refuses to talk when she needs something.

Answer 5

My son did the same thing, and after awhile I was tired of it. I refused to give him what he wanted until he said the word, and then he went without. So, I tried doing something else. If he pointed to juice, I'd get some in his cup, and pretend to drink it and say, "Mmm..Juice", and look at him. He'd point, and I'd do it again. He would eventually say the word after a few tries. Maybe you could try that.

Answer 6

Try baby sign language. It is amazing . You can find it on Amazon .com , it's called baby signs. It does not replace verbally speaking , but helps children relate better. I teach this to my toddlers at daycare. It really works, parents are coming in and asking what the child is signing, so I a now teaching the parents as well.When you do the sign , simply say the word as well. Good Luck

Answer 7

Don't give him what he's asking for until he uses words. Giving in to the whining and pointing will just reinforce the behavior. Also, if he truly is having difficulty with speech or saying certain words, you may want to visit a speech therapist.

Answer 8

when my son was 2 he did the same thing. I took him to a place to be tested for a verity of things and come to fnd out he couldn't hear and it was affecting his speech. They say with him pointing and winnig its a form of there own sign language. I can't tell you thats what it is but it might be something to look into.

Answer 9

i had the same problem.
It works best to get on there level *like squat* and talk to them face to face and make them understand that they can not get what they want if they don't speak. If they want it that badly then they will tell you. Dont beg for it just tell them when they want it to come and tell you.

Answer 10

DEAR
MY 3 YEAR JUST POINTS AT WHAT HE WANTS HE TRYS TO TELL YOU BUT IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND HE GRABS YOU BY THE HAND AND SHOWS YOU OK
TAKE CARE IN THE SAME BOAT.