baby girl 20 months old not talking.is that normal?

Question

baby girl, 20 months old, not talking, or saying anything that may sound like a word (not even mama,papa,etc)
when somebody tries to show her a word,spell it clearly to her, she just stares at them and then walk away. she is in general very "energetic" and usually doesn't pay attention when people talk to her, or focus on something for more than 2-3 mins.

Answer 1

My friends daughter started talking only 3 months before she turned 3, that was 4 months ago, now she is talking our ears off.
make sounds behind her and see if she reacts to it to be sure there is nothing wrong with her hearing.

Answer 2

Typically babies begin to say Mama and Dada, in reference to their parents, around 12 months. They begin adding more words so that by age 24 months they can communicate some needs. I would recommend talking to your pediatrician and getting your daughters hearing tested. Even if she startles to loud sound she may have a mild hearing loss. Early intervention is key and the first step is to rule out hearing loss. Having said that my first child didn't say much until he was 2 1/2 year old. He did start calling me Mama and my husband Dada around 18 months and that was about it. He was extremely active and like most toddlers he had a short attention span. I taught him some simple "baby sign language" which helped him communicate without speaking. I started with just one sign and used it every time I said the word. At the end of the week he was signing it too (his sign wasn't perfect but I knew he was trying to sign what I signed. The whole point was to teach him to communicate so I didn't worry about it being perfect). After that I just started adding a few signs and would use them whenever I said the word and by age 2 he could sign at least 10 words. Then around 2 1/2 he was up to 50 signs and he started talking. You can find a baby sign book at most book stores and Baby Einstein has 2 videos with baby sign, one is called Baby Wordsworth.

Answer 3

If your concerned go see a health nurse and get her checked out . They can do tests even for the little people to check hearing and sight and stuff. My little girl too didn't seem to want to talk , but she say mum ova and ova from bout 6mths. But to ask her something, go get a toy or get something for mummy or daddy and she knew exactly what was being asked of her and go do it. At this stage don't worry, don't rush her, she''ll do it in her own time. Wait til she's 2, 2 1/2, she'll talk the leg off a chair and you'll wonder how to shut her up. Continue to be of example to her and speak clearly to her so she witnesses mouth movement. they all different in all developements, somes quick somes not. Your health nurse would be a good start if concerns continue. All the best. Cheers.

Answer 4

At that age, she should have at least "mama" and "papa" in her vocabularyy. Recommend you have her checked for hearing loss. Also, at that age, they should not have an interest yet in trying to read words. They have to get speech down first before they will get any understanding of words.

To not yet have a vocabular at 20 months is not unusual. I had two daughter, one who was talking in sentences at 10 months, but did not walk until nearly 20 months. And another who was walking at 10 months, but did not talk until 20 months. So they all develop at different rates and with different priorities. But usually by the end of the first year thay have "mama", "papa", and a small handful of necessary words down. If she is not doing "mama", then she needs to have her hearing checked.

Answer 5

my son didn't talk till he was 3 he was very lazy kinda 'ugged' when he wanted something so he didn't get it till he made an effort, now he's the brightest in his class 10 yrs old and gobby, my twins spoke fluently before they were suppossed to and my daughter now 4 is the same as my first she can speak clearly sometimes then babbles her 'own' language sometimes, the point is that all children develop in their own time, they told me my daughter has glue ear and it has affected her hearing which in turn might have affected her speech but she can hear me open a packet of crisps if i'm in the kitchen and she's in the sitting room with the tv on lol lol, nothing the matter with her hearing mate, kids are smarter than you think!!!! she doesn't feel the need to speak yet until she really wants something, don't forget parents are supposed to be mind readers too.

Answer 6

My little sister didnt start talking till she was about three years. Some babies are more fluent when they start talking. If a child stated to talk at say 1 year it would be restricted to things like "mama" and "dada". If a baby learnt to talk at three it may be able to say more complex things like " Mummy" and "daddy". Everything happens in its own time and im sure there would be no cause for concern. Hope this helps in some way.
Harry.

Answer 7

Babies and young children vary very much. If your child resides in a quiet household with not much talk then it will take longer for her to start speech. Would not hurt, though, to get your girl checked out with her hearing, just in case it is a hearing difficulty here - but this is unlikely. Have patience and chat to her and read to her at every opportunity. We often will out babies to start talking but then complain that we cannot keep them quiet !!!

Answer 8

my son didn't babble as a baby. he was a very quiet child. he has now been diagnosed with developmental verbal dyspraxia. this sounds a lot worse than it actually is. he just needs speech therapy in school to help him catch up.
if your at all worried you should ask your health visitor to refer her to a paediatrician so that you can stop worrying about the unknown and start dealing with reality, whatever that might be. good luck

Answer 9

i dont think so ! my girl friend is going through this with her son, he is the same age in speach therapy. he completely comprehends everything its just that the muscles in his mouth are not developing at the rate they should be and he can not form words. i would ask your doctor about it and in the mean time go to your local libary or online and look up baby sign lanuage. my friend has been doing this with her son and it is so wonderful.... the therapist says it does not delay speach only enhances it... good luck !

Answer 10

all babys learn at different ratres my girl was quick to walk and do other things but she wasnt that bothered about talking but it seems one day she just started and now she dont shut up. she obviously know not talking is a big thing and whislt she is gettin all the attention from you trying to get her to talk.whats the point in actually talkin if your worried though speak to your health visitor i know most of them are useless but at least it will put your mind at rest....