I currently watch a boy who will be 3 in december. He doesn't know any colors, numbers, or letters. He can't count or sing the alphabet. He only talks in two word sentences. He doesnt undertsand that much. Simple instruction like "push in the chair" he gets confused. My son who is 18mo and he understands more then him. His mom thinks he's really smart and doesnt think there is anything wrong. It's hard to bring it up to her because i don't want her think I'm calling her son stupid, but I do think she should get him evaluated.
2007-07-28 07:11:06 · 14 answers · asked by Baby Julie due 5/12 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
There is a chance that he is fine, but may not be getting enough "talking to" at home-i.e. discussing colors, shapes, etc. I don't know how long you have been watching him, but if it hasn't been long, he simply may not have been exposed to those basics yet.
Call Birth to Three. If they feel it's necessary (which they probably will) they will give him an evaluation. You will probably need parental permission. Just tell her that they are coming to watch the two children interact and make sure everything is okay developmentally. At any rate, they should be able to walk you through all the steps. Hopefully if there is a problem it will be found soon because the earlier, the better.
Oh, and after age 3, if he does have a developmental problem, in most (if not all) states it becomes the responsibility of the public school system to provide him with a tutor/therapist.
2007-07-28 15:19:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can help him learn while he is with you, as others have suggested. Observe him carefully to see if you think his language delay may be due to a hearing deficit. School districts evaluate children before age three, and provide services if the child is found to have a handicapping condition. This may be related to developmental delays in speech, language, social or emotional behavior, cognitive development, fine or gross motor development. You may not be able to find a way to suggest this mother have her child evaluated without offending her. In this case, the delays don't sound so alarming that you need to worry. It is best to start to remediate problems as soon as possible, but it doesn't help much to alienate the parents. This mom is unlikely to see a need for evaluation until she thinks her child is significantly behind. Apparently she's a long way from that now. Does she ever have a chance to observe her son with other children his age? Another possibility is that she really does suspect that her child's development is delayed, but is not ready to accept the idea. People do not hear what they are unwilling to hear. And it does not matter how loudly, how clearly, or how often you explain it.
2007-07-28 15:27:51 · answer #2 · answered by treebird 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He really isn't behind. You'd be surprised to find out how many kids in pre-school or even kindergarten go in without knowing the letters of the alphabet by sight. I would take the time you have with him to try to improve what he already knows. Start by singing the alphabet song around the house, then teach him the letters. I used a Magnadoodle to write the alphabet for my sons until they could recognize at least the upper case ones.
Read to him. Read books on numbers, letters, shapes and colors if you can. At lunch or snack, count out how many pretzels or goldfish crackers he has. Make every moment a learning moment.
2007-07-28 14:18:55 · answer #3 · answered by Clarissa N 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, every child develops differently but this does seem to be a bit behind. Some of it may simply be language development. Or there may be a real problem. If there is a problem, early intervention is crucial. In the gentlest way possible, tell her the differences you are seeing in him and your younger son. Ask her to have her son evaluated. Reassure her that you don't think there is anything seriously wrong, you just want to be sure he's okay because you care about him, too.
2007-07-28 14:18:43 · answer #4 · answered by Sharon M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evey child is different. When my son was 28m he could barely speak (didn't start using sentences till a little over three, now he won't be quiet and speaks perfectly) but coordination wise he could run circles around other kids. My daughter was 14m at the time and could say 2-3 words together but couldn't walk like a lot of her peers could. It really just depends on the child. I don't think an evaluation would hurt (you should get one before age 2 anyway) but I don't think there is anything to be super concerned about.
2007-07-28 14:17:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have him everyday, all day? If so start working with him. She might not do things like reading book that are based on numbers, alphabet or shapes and colors with him. If he doesnt' start picking up on things soon after he turns 3 it might not hurt. Since the No child left behind act alot of school districts will evaluate kids after they turn 3 and give them help if a problem is found.
2007-07-28 14:22:51 · answer #6 · answered by SouthernRose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should talk to her. Of course all kids grow at different paces.. my son didn't say his first word until he was almost 2 years old, but my daughter was rambling, before she turned 1. But the concern should be maybe a possible hearing problem with him. I did take my son to the doctors about his. Because I did think he had some hearing issues.. fortunately, all was ok, and the doctor told me not to worry yet, he will talk when he has something say. I would at least suggest the hearing test..you could simply tell her that you were talking to him several times and he did not seem to understand what you were saying, maybe you should get his hearing checked.
2007-07-28 14:20:56 · answer #7 · answered by tootsie38 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I think he is too young to be evaluated. More like 5 yrs old, because as other answerer have mentioned some just learn later what others learn sooner.
He may be fine when he 5, but for now it's taking him a little longer to get the hang of it. Don't say anything, it's not like the child has some sort of terminal illness that needs to be addressed immediately. Even if he does have a slight learning disability, it can be worked on later on.
2007-07-28 14:26:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you watch him you could do some educational games with him but he's not really behind. Every kid develops at their own pace. My daughter was really young at potty training, we started at 16 months & she was pretty well finished by 19 months but she doesn't talk as well as some two year olds & if someone pointed out that something was less than perfect about my precious baby I would either get extremely pissed off or extremely worried thinking I was a failure of a mother. So I really wouldn't bring it up to her. Kids just develop at different paces for different things.
2007-07-28 15:43:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have twins boy/girl at this age my son could speak very clearly while my daughter couldn't. Children learn things at different times. If you want to work with a child while he is in you care than do so, but I would not be telling the mother that the child is behind
2007-07-28 14:23:55 · answer #10 · answered by Cristy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋