My son is 4 and for some reason he will only speak in a baby tone that I cannot understand. I tell him all the time that I can't understand him, or that he's a big boy and he needs to talk like a four year old, but it doesn't work. Even in the middle of the night he calls me and when he tries to explain what he needs he talks like a baby. I can't stand it anymore! This just started happening about 2 months ago and I can't think of any significant change that has happened in our family. We aren't having another baby to give him the excuse of regression, we haven't moved, no one died, so I really can't explain it. Any suggestions?
2007-05-09 08:54:12 · 21 answers · asked by Robyn H 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
It is always difficult to tell. First, I would check his hearing, and I would do it today. Hearing and expressive language have a strong link. Did he have a major ear infection?
Secondly, don't show frustration or anger. It is very possible that he cannot help this.
Thirdly, Keep modeling correct language.
Is he acting silly when he talks in this manner? Does he talk like he used to at all during the day? Look for signs to determine if it is behavior or physical. Your pediatrician should be able to shed some light on the subject.
2007-05-09 09:02:46 · answer #1 · answered by madrom 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Children learn to talk mostly by example. Do you talk with your son, even though you know he isn't capable of talking back? Yes, he should be speaking in sentences at this age. Try reading to him, too. There are some children's books that have pictures of objects -- I think it was a Richard Scarry book -- you can point to the item, say the name and then tell him about it. This can be done casually. Another thing that can be fun for both of you is grocery shopping. Put him in the cart and talk as you get the groceries. "We need some cereal, shall we get Cheerios? You know that's my favorite, how about you?" "Let's go around the corner here and you can let me know as soon as you see the bread." This may sound silly, but it works. I've seen mothers chatting away to their babies in the grocery store and the child looked very interested. Children notice many more things than we give them credit for. Just keep it casual and don't pressure or criticize. Another thing you could do is take him for a hearing test. Sometimes a child that can't hear well, can't speak well.
2016-04-01 04:09:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is someone in your family talking to him in baby talk (grandma or auntie). The other thought is that a new playmate from pre-school? is not talking correctly.
Since this is a recent development and he has just started this. Refuse to try to understand him. Just sit down and look at him quizzically and say "I don't know what your saying" over and over. He will eventually give up and tell you.
2007-05-09 08:59:51 · answer #3 · answered by kny390 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter did that when she was younger. It would make me NUTS! Does he go to daycare or school? Maybe he sees someone else doing this, and thinks it's cool....as cool as something can be for a 4 year old. LOL! Maybe enforce the fact that you don't talk to babies, and ignore him until he gets frustrated and corrects the speech. I did it, and it worked, but all kids are different. Good luck.
2007-05-09 09:00:21 · answer #4 · answered by amanda r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just continue to talk to him in standard English, and don't give him what he wants when he talks baby talk. But don't make a big thing of it all the time. It's giving him attention, and that's probably what he's after. Love him a lot; read to him a lot; sing to him a lot. He'll get over it pretty soon.
2007-05-09 08:58:00 · answer #5 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
has he been playing with a 2-yr.old ? My 6 yr. old does the same thing when he wants to be "babied". I tell him to quit talking like a 2-yr. old, that he is not and never will be 2 again. I know what you mean. I can't stand it either. I just stay on him about it. (like you would with any bad habit you're trying to break )
2007-05-09 09:01:44 · answer #6 · answered by Scorpius59 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just have to work with him more. Don't give him what he wants if he talks like a baby. Sometimes kids try to do it, because they here others kids talking that way. Keep talking to him like a grown up, he soon get out of it.
2007-05-09 09:02:09 · answer #7 · answered by cyran 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he goes to daycare, he may have met another child that was getting a lot of attention speaking like that, so he has decided to mimic it to get the attention too. Continue to repeat that you cannot understand him, but try not to create a hostile environment like at bedtime when he should be sleeping. Always speak to him like a boy of his age. He will tire of it if he does not get his ways.
2007-05-09 08:59:15 · answer #8 · answered by pops 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might want to look into Autism. I have two brothers with it and it is rather common. 1 and 100, and it may be bad but its not the end of the world. If it ends up being like that, e-mail me and I will tell you what to do in that situation I have ALOT of experience with it.
2007-05-09 09:04:36 · answer #9 · answered by Alex 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If people talk to him like a baby then he is going to do the same. If that is not the case then when he starts talking like that ignore him. Do not give him what he wants...
2007-05-09 08:58:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋