My 2 year old is barely speaking, should I be concerned?

Question

My son turned 2 at the end of April, he has had a hispanic babysitter who speaks primarily spanish since he was 3 months old. I was initially concerned about his language skills and everyone assured me that he would just be bilingual. As of right now he only says a handful of words...at least in english. I have spoke nothing but english to him at home and I work with him nightly but still he really doesn't talk. Should I be concerned or is it just one of those situations where it will all just fall into place? His babysitter said that he speaks a lot of spanish so I know he has the capacity for language...but how do I encourage him to speak his native language? I might add also I wouldn't trade his sitter for anything she is a wonderful lady and treats him as if he were her grandson. Oh and also I know he understands english perfectly. I know I'm rambling but it is late and I'm trying not to forget anything :o) HELP

Answer 1

I don't exactly have the ethos to be answering this question, cause I'm 17 and obviously I'm not a parent.

But I was raised by my grandmother who spoke to me in Spanish, while my parents spoke to me in English, and I never had trouble distinguishing the languages even when I was as young as your kid. There was enough of a balance that I learned what was Spanish and what was English, and I knew which words belonged to which language.

Since you're a parent its natural that you worry about things like all that, but you shouldn't really be worrying. He won't be a mute and he will learn both languages if he is interacted enough with both. Its actually good that he's experiencing both a such an early age.


Children mimic everything, and if you talk to your kid enough in adult English he should have no problems with the language. But the icky, icky, boo-boo language isn't English. So if that's all you speak to him in, that might be part of the problem right there.

There shouldn't be any harm done from the Spanish. He just needs time. But again, that baby talk isn't enough to teach him English. It might be cute and all, but it dumbs kids way down. THAT'S TOTALLY LIKE WHY WE ALL ARE TEENAGERS AND TALK LIKE WE'RE 5! OMG NO WAY LOL...I'm not even Jking with you.

Answer 2

As long as he seems to understand you and you are 100% sure that he does have the capacity for language then I wouldnt be too concerned. Some toddlers just arent very talkative. My neighbors 2 year old only speaks a handful of words too. And my younger brother was the same way but he eventually grew out of it and now he has a degree in speech pathology, thats the gods honest truth. If he hasnt expanded his vocabulary significantly by the time hes 3 1/2 or 4, I would start to get concerned and see about taking him to a specialist to see if theres anything wrong. He'll probly start talking more in his own time. Don't worry.

Answer 3

Don't worry - your son is doing just fine. I have read that children exposed to two languages at the same time are usually late with speaking because they need to process two quite different language systems and it influence somewhat how fast the child strarts speaking. But the good side of this is that your child will be bilingual by the time he grows up, he will use those languages freely and he will never forget them. It is an absolute treasure to know an extra language like that. My husband and I are from different countries and although I learned his language, he didn't learn mine so at home we speak English. Our daugther knows my language perfactly - I spoke it to her since she was little. She knows some of my husband's language but he usually doesn't spend so much time with her so in that area she lags behind. English she doesn't know yet but she has a great desire to learn it. By the way, she is only 4. So just keep talking to your son in English and a lot of it and you will be amazed at how well he will strat speaking both Spanish and English.

Answer 4

I wouldn't worry much. Casually mention it to the doctor the next time he goes or call and talk to a nurse. My son was three and a half before he started talking and three years later he still hasn't stopped. He was an only child for four years so he had no reason to talk. He'd point to something, I'd get it. Try to stop doing that and don't give him what he wants until he can say it. Tell him to ask you for what he wants in simple words such as cup, drink, food, car, etc. If that seems to work, try having him use two words like cup please. Or have him say please. I don't know about the bilingual thing, that might have him confused and I would suggest asking a pediatrician or speech doctor. As I said, my son was three and a half and just started talking when he was ready in almost full sentences when he found we wouldn't give in so easily if he didn't. Good luck.

Answer 5

He just doesn't feel the need. Obviously, if he hands you the remote and you change the channel, he does not need to say a word. Now you are better, you are doing the right thing by reading to him and with him and chatting. Soon, he will want to talk back to you. Just be patient and shortly you will never have a minute's peace with Why? and Don't want to! etc. There's plenty of time. If the pediatrician isn't worried about him being tongue tied, just try to relax.

Answer 6

Well I'm not an expert, but my mother said that I didn't start speaking till I was 3 years old. She took me to the pediatrician when I was little and she said that the reason I hadn't started speaking yet was because my parents were speaking two languages, so maybe its the same thing with your son. Yet again, I'm no expert. Anyway I hope you get the answer you need. :]

Answer 7

If he seems to understand what others are saying and appears to be otherwise normal, then I wouldn't worry too much. Some children are slower to talk than others. He might be getting what he wants through gestures and sounds so he's not rushing to talk more. If he's not talking by the time he enters school, then I would be concerned.

Answer 8

he sounds fine. I would talk to your doctor about what he can say. he is saying words so that is good. My son at 2 said about 20 words and I was really concerned and the doctor said he was fine at his 2 yr checkup and he is what I considered to talk a bit slow but by 3 he was saying full complete sentences.

Answer 9

Some babys learn quicker than others. I would ask the babysitter to speack english.
Be sure that you talk to him about everything. That will be the only way he will learn.
He will struggle in school.

Answer 10

no don't be concerned. all 3 or my nephews were like that. My daughter will be two on the 24th and she talks alot, and knows alot of words, but every toddler is different in their own way. i think it is cool that he will know 2 languages.