My boys just turned 2. I am having trouble teaching them because they barely talk (about 5 words each)! HELP!!

Question

I read to them, work with them, play with them but because we can't communicate with each other I feel as if I am just butting my head against a wall. I have a 6 year old daughter who is above average for her age and I am in no way trying to push them to be like her but I know there are things they should know by now (TALKING) that they don't and I just don't want them to be behind! They just recently started with a speech therapist and I am hoping that will help! Any advice is GREATLY appreciated! Especially from someone who has been there and done that!! LOL
Thanks

Answer 1

Judging by "they" I'm presuming that they are twins. Talking later is very, very common with twins. If you do some searching for twin websites, I'm sure they have some resources on it available.

My nephew (a single) also was a little behind on starting to talk so my sister took him to a speech therapist and they started teaching him sign language. It seemed to be helpful.

Answer 2

There is not much you can do. All three of my boys had speech delays. The last speech therapist who worked with my youngest son, her son has a speech delay. Both her and her husband are speech therapist and he is getting his doctorate in it. You are doing all that you can. My youngest, who is now 3 1/2, only had about 10 word at 2. Now he talks up a storm. It is nothing that you did or did not do. They do think having a speech delay could be hereditary. Get their hearing checked, if you have not done that already. Keeping reading and the speech therapist should be able to give you some hints. Sign language can help to, so they can communicate their needs. Good luck. I have been there done that 3 times. My older two speak well and my youngest has come so far!!!!

Answer 3

My son is three and this was the case for him. I wished I had someone who didn't tell me something was wrong with him. I did take him to an audiologist and his hearing was fine. Some kids don't talk until later. They are in the last 12% out of 100, but that in no way says there is something wrong. Your sons will start to talk when they are ready. My son is three years and five months and is picking up so many words. He can even say Red, yellow, blue, green, purple and point to the color. At two he was not saying but 5-10 word and I agree it is frustrating for both of you. In your case all of you. Einstein was four when he started talking and he was a genius. My daughter was like your daughter above average in intelligence and speech. Kids are all different. Just continue what you are doing. Read to them and talk to them all the time. They are listening and most likely understand. As far as the speech therapy if you feel it is working continue it. As far as preschool don't let their speech be what makes you send them. If you were sending them anyway then do it. But, if you are doing it because of speech they will catch up and there is a lot they can learn being home with you that is equally as important. You can e-mail me at [e-mail] if you have questions. Good luck.

Answer 4

Try singing! Teach them fun songs and nursery rhythms so that they can learn the power of their voice and words.
Read them short funny books. Most little ones can't resist not repeating the words of their favorite book. Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss is a good classic.
It is also important for you to have conversation with them. Sometimes it's hard to just talk to them between all the commands(no-no,stop, get down, eat, let's go, hurry up, etc.) Talk to them about things that they seem to enjoy. Don't demand answers but always ask them to give their opinion. The grocery store is a great place for that! Ask each would they like the apples or oranges? Give them a chance to pick. Ask if they can say which ever he picked. If not, take it anyways. Talk to them about your favorite fruit, ice cream, snack, etc.
Most of all remember that they are two individual children so one may respond to things that the other has no interest in, so be very creative. Have fun!

Answer 5

Twins hugh?! Not shure if you know but it is common for twins to be delayed in speaking. From what I have been told and read, twins are used to talking in their "own speach" and some times it is hard for one or both, or they just don't want to, to pick up on words every one else can understand. I'm going threw this with my four year old twins. My son talks fine but my daughter is having a harder time picking up on how to form the words. She didn't start speaking real words untill she was allmost three. My son can understand every thing she says so some times I ask him what she is meaning lol.
I read that you have them in speach, that is realy going to help!! My daughter recently started speach classes and she started to have improvments with in the first few weeks.
Some thing you can do is phonics, which is where they act out the sounds of words. Like for the S sound they wiggle their hands back and fourth like a snake. Check with the speach therapist as to what method she/he is useing with the boys and how to do them. Diffrent therapists use diffrent methods so its always better to keep with the same method over mixing two diffrent ones.
You can also have the boys make their own picture book useing cut outs of animals, shapes, coloring books ect. After you staple the pages together go threw the books and point to each picture and say "this is a cat" "this is a house" Ect. They could be more inticed to start saying the words if they are seeing the same images over and over not to mention it is a book they made themselfs and with mommy!
Because they are so young you want to keep the methods simple, short and fun.

Answer 6

I don't know if this will help you any but I had a daughter first as well..by the time she was a little over a year old you could hold a conversation with her, she knew all her nursery rhymes, ABC's etc. Then 2 years later comes my son, nothing was done any different with him as far as reading, playing games, working with him, etc. but he was 2 years old and didn't talk (said maybe 3 or 4 words) then one day he just started talking, and hasn't stopped since (he's now 12) and doing great in school.

Answer 7

Mom! Relax...they will talk in due time! You are focusing to much on the fact they only say 5 words! They have a big sister that is probably talking for them somewhat...and you are able to understand what they communicate to you I'm sure. (We Moms ALL can do that!) Just relax. Before you know it they will be talking nonstop! It's like walking...some kids walk early, some don't. Some babies crawl...some don't! My oldest daughter talked nonstop...my youngest daughter didn't care to communicate much until she was nearly four! It was easier to grunt and point! LOL! They'll be fine. I wouldn't waste money on a speech therapist....of course a speech therapist is going to tell you they do need therapy...($$$) Good luck and relax!

Answer 8

Good to hear that you're working with a speech pathologist. You might be interested in looking into Baby Signs. It can be easier for some kids to learn a bit of language this way. But absolutely talk about it with the therapist before you make your decision about that.

Answer 9

You're communicating a LOT with them. They read facial expressions, body language (hugs, tucking them in, holding them), voice inflection and volume, looks on your face, whether you accept them as they are or if you're stressed with them for not being who you want them to be. Or if they know they can control you because you give in to them.
If they get the toy they are "asking" for when they grunt, point or throw a fit then they and you need to redirect. Try this: do not give them the things that aren't necessary for survival unless they start trying the words you demonstrate. "Do you want the ball? Say ball!" If they just cry don't give them the ball. In a little bit give them the chance again. If they are being stubborn and continue to cry or carry on, change their attention to something else...go read to them...but don't give them the ball unless they attempt the word. They'll start trying and catching on.
Other than that, relax mom. Very few kids are going to fall into their older siblings mold and be above average in all aspects of life.

Answer 10

Get in touch with your state's early intervention program. They will evaluate them an determine if they are in need of speech therapy. If they are, they will come to your home and give them therapy at no cost to you until they are three... then they will transfer to the public school system. My 3 1/2 year old son has a language disorder called apraxia. The early intervention program was so helpful and now he goes to preschool and gets speech therapy four days a week at our local elementary school, all FREE of charge. You just may want to check it out.