Do you think my toddler is " Behind" ? I'm not around other children, so I don't know.?

Question

My daughter is 2, and will be 3 in December. She can count to 15, knows her all her colors and some shapes, and speaks in semi-full sentences. She sometimes stutters though, when shes trying to talk. ( that worries me). Also, she loves to sing ( and can learn the main chorus to songs on the Radio) and knows the names of all kinds of animals, and the sounds they make. She WAS doing good at potty training. . but now she was regressed back to pee-ing in her pull up. I think shes doing ok for her age, but I want to make sure shes not falling behind. If you believe she is behind other kids, please off some advice on how I can help her. Thanks

Thanks guys, all your answers really re-assured me :)

I will continue with the potty training. . I think its just a power-struggle at this point .. she kinda a bossy little thing. LOL.

And next we will work on ABC's . . i just worry sometimes, because I cant afford regular or pre-preschool yet (its 300/week in Chicago!!) so shes at a at-home daycare thats cheaper with only 1 other kid. for 10 hours a day ( im a workin single mom!). . but thanks for all your help!!

Answer 1

Your daughter sounds great! The stuttering will go away as she gets older. They have so much they want to say and do, but don't have the abilities yet. Everything is still so new to them. Children are really astounding. I have a grown son and 2 grandsons...each is different and learn at their own speed in their own way. Don't push too much and be patient. The slip in potty training shouldn't bother you either, it will probably happen more than once. Just encourage her and let her know that you love her no matter what.

Answer 2

She sounds OK to me. I'd talk to your pediatrician about the stuttering and maybe he/she can refer you to a speech therapist to work on it if they feel it's a problem. She could be stuttering because she's excited and can't get the words out fast enough.

I wouldn't worry too much about the potty training. My son was almost 4 (although he was somewhat developmentally delayed) when he was potty trained. I had a child psychologist tell me that his kids were over three when they were potty trained. I had my mother nagging me about how I was being lazy about the potty training and how most kids should be trained before they're two which did not help. I found that when I really pushed my son into potty training he'd regress even more. When he wanted to do it, it was a breeze. Again, if you're really concerned talk to the pediatrician. It doesn't sound like a problem to me.

Your daughter sounds right on track or even a little ahead for being able to count to 15 and knowing her colors. I'd encourage that by reading to her and starting to introduce the alphabet and making a game out of recognizing letters and shapes when you take her places.

Answer 3

Our son went to a church preschool at first, but was so bored and was not able to do things like cut things out himself as they wouldn't let the kids use scissors, so my wife started an at home preschool. Those kids were so much happier.

My wife had a little child potty in the bathroom shortly after the baby came home. He grew up with it there along with the big potty. My wife would take him in there and sit him on his potty with a book about an hour after each meal. She would sit on the closed big potty with another book. Sometimes they would just look at pictures, and sometimes she would read out loud. If he did something, she would praise him. If not, there was no comment. There were times that he would wet or mess his pants 30 minutes after leaving the bathroom, but she never made a big deal of it and just said "Oh, I must have timed it wrong. Let me know if you feel like you need to go, and we'll go back and sit again." When he got tall enough to pee in the big potty, my wife would cut ships out of toilet paper and lay them on top of the water and tell our son to "sink the ship." That sure did train him to aim! That won't work for your girl, but maybe someone with a boy will read this and it will help them.

As for the stuttering, check out www.stutteringhelp.org for tips of things parents can do at home to help, how to determine if/when a child needs speech therapy, when it is normal, etc. They have some great resources.

I have met parents who said that their child started stuttering and when they let up on the pressure they were putting on them to get potty trained, the stuttering stopped. Make your potty training a relaxed, fun time. There is no reason to hurry a child along.

Answer 4

Right on target, maybe ahead in some areas like the colors and the counting.

Don't worry about the potty training, most kids don't get there until age 3. Just don't push it, it will happen when she's ready.

If you're worried about the stuttering you could ask her pediatrician about it. Meanwhile just don't rush her when she's talking, I believe most people with a stutter control it simply by slowing down and not trying so hard. It happens when they're nervous.

Answer 5

She sounds like she is doing just fine!!!

I sometimes stutter. When I have a lot to tell someone, the words get all twisted together. Don't panic, until it becomes the norm for her.

Potty training is sooooooo boring. She will get back on track.

Is there any chance she my have a urinary tract infection? Watch and get her checked if she shows symptoms. My niece had blond hair and blue eyes. An old time doctor told my b and sil, kids like that, had more uti's. They stopped letting her take a bath and sit in the dirty water. They taught her how to take a shower.

Answer 6

No, your daughter is by no means behind! My daughter just turned 3 and does all the same things. And one day, we tried potty training again (two days before her birthday), and all of a sudden she just caught on like you wouldn't believe! You've still got plenty of time for that. From talking to other parents I've learned 3 is a common age for kids finally catching on to potty training (yes, I know a lot of kids do it earlier than that), and even her doctor was surprised that she is doing it already now.

Answer 7

sounds like she's doing really well to me! Doing well in speech, which is always important. And her memory seems good if she can remember song lyrics. And numbers.

maybe work some more on the potty training. She may still have accidents, which are common, but try to get her to use the potty as often as possible. I would say that's the only "issue" I see.

Other than that, she sounds pretty bright (and advanced) for her age. Remember little girls are more advanced than little boys.

Answer 8

both my son (who is 11 now) and my daughter (5 now) stuttered when they were first starting to talk. i was scared of that also, and thought about taking them to a speech therapist. i didnt though and now i realized that its normal. think of it this way. her mind is working so fast that she cant get all her thoughts out. its a sign of smarts. if you ever listen to the radio, listen to some of the interviewers. they also will stutter over there words. its just something that happens. just be patient with her and let her work the words out. you can also tell her to slow down.
in addition to that, everything else she does sounds like she right on track! she isnt falling behind at all. sounds like you are doing a great job teaching her everything she needs to know.
dont worry about the potty-training. she will get it sooner or later. she wont be in diapers forever.

Answer 9

I am in the same boat you are. My daughter will turn 3 in November. She was doing good in the pottty training are too but now she is not doing as well anymore. My daughter has times that she ca't get all of her words out too. I was told by her doctor that their brains are going so fast that they can't get it all out as quick as they are thinking. They are in a stage to where they like to comment on things and discuss things. They have so many ideas and opinions that it is hard for them to say everything they have to say in a short amount of time. Over time, adults learn to only say what is funny or important. Children have to share every single thought. It will get better the older she gets... don't worry! Your daughter sounds like she is doing quite well. If potty training is our only problem, then I think we are doing quite well too! If you do get any helpful advice about the potty training... please let me know! That is our main focus right now too!

Good Luck, I think you have a very bright girl on your hands!

Answer 10

Sometimes the brain is faster then her mouth can say the word which would cause her to stutter. Thats normal for a 2 year old. Im pretty sure everything else is normal. I have 2 nephews and a friend went to school for early childhood development so i know some stuff.