My boy is 21 months old...he understands almost everything we say to him and takes directions very well. But he is not talking in scentences, and rarely uses even short phrases.
I think a big part of this could be due to the fact that my parents watch him during the day while my husband and I are at work, so he is not around many other children. Luckily I'm due with #2 in April, so he will have a playmate!
What are your experiences with boys at this age and their verbal skills?
2007-12-23 13:32:29 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
He can say a ton of words, identify objects, etc. He just doesn't put words together.
2007-12-23 13:38:53 · update #1
You probably don't need to be concerned just yet about him not putting words together, as at this age some children are starting to form two word phrases. Fortunately you say that he has many words, which would indicate that there probably isn't a language delay but that he just hasn't reached that stage yet, and he is still not yet two years old. Obviously he is communicating clearly and comprehending well which is great.
My 26 month old son only has a few intelligible words and has been identified as language delayed and is waiting on speech therapy. He says a lot of words that we just can't understand which is frustrating for him and us! I understood that boys can develop language more slowly than girls but knew that by age 2 he should have around 20-50 words in his vocabulary and be attempting to make two word sentences.
If you have real concerns about your son you could talk to your doctor or health service about referral to appropriate specialists to check that everything is okay. I am sure you already do it but spend lots of time reading and talking as you go about your day, and reinforce his own language attempts when he asks for something or speaks to you by repeating something in simple terms (if he says "drink" you could say "more drink?" or "(his name) drink?") - repeating back what he wants to say but extending it a bit. Is it possible for your parents to take him out to a park or other places where children play? I understand the need for this as my son has had numerous ear infections this year which have kept him at home and no doubt had an impact on his speech with the lack of socialising. He also has a younger brother (14 months) who is a wonderful playmate but not a good language role model!
All the best with your son and new baby.
(Mum of 2 and former early childhood teacher)
2007-12-23 14:42:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
He is perfectly normal! Don't try to do any kind of structured teaching at this point, he's too young. Just read to him as often as possible, take him to story time at the library, talk to him a lot, discuss everything that you do throughout the day. I promise he will start saying more and more. My son was exactly the same way, now he's 2.5 and he talks in sentences and will repeat everything we say, but he does still babble at times. Boys tend to be a little more behind verbally, but they always catch up! You're doing a great job as his mom. Just enjoy playing with him. Your doctor will catch anything if he seems behind to him when you go in for his check-ups, but he sounds like he's right where he should be.
2016-05-26 01:59:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 2, he is only expected to put together 2 words at a time and have a vocabulary of about 200 words. Sentences will come with time. Just keep talking to him and read to him. Sounds like he is a fairly normal 21 month old. You can get a speech and language evaluation just to be sure.
2007-12-23 16:56:05 · answer #3 · answered by seatonrsp 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 21 month old who is is daycare 2x a week and has 2lder siblings. He isn't putting together many sentences either. He can say... I want.... or No more... But other than that - it is all just words ( and a ton of them) so I wouldn't worry.
We just have our son repeat everything we say to him to try and teach him. I would not worry too much!!
2007-12-23 14:07:52 · answer #4 · answered by Just trying to make it 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have two sons ages 7 and 2. my 2 year old isn't saying a whole lot either. I was upset until my pediatrician pointed out that my 7 year old was almost 3 before he really started talking. I would give him time.
2007-12-23 14:11:15 · answer #5 · answered by dolphin127 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
of course i'm sure you know kids vary wildly that age and it doesn't necessarily have the slightest thing to do with how they'll be talking a year from now. but according to my friend who's a speech therapist, they usually like to see babies talking in 2-word phrases by age 2. at 21 months, he still has awhile yet, and it sounds like he has a good vocabulary and sometimes already speaks in phrases. i wouldn't worry at all at this point; i'd just keep talking to him. if you're still worried at his 2-year checkup, bring it up with the pediatrican. but you're still well within the normal curve, and there's nothing to say he won't be president of the debate club eventually. ;-)
2007-12-23 14:05:38 · answer #6 · answered by ... 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's possible he just doesn't have anything to say. But to be on the safe side, find someone in your area who does speech evaluations. Easter Seals does them for free, and developmental doctors do them as well. Good luck!
2007-12-23 13:36:50 · answer #7 · answered by shojo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call your counties Early Intervention Program, you can get a free evalutiion in your home and if he would have a slight delay you would get services in your home until he is 3.
2007-12-23 14:57:44 · answer #8 · answered by First L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is it that you want him to do, recite the Gettysburg Address? He isn't even 2 years old. He is a toddler, not mineature adult.
2007-12-23 20:22:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly? My younger brother never had to talk, we all anticipated his needs. Then he started to talk after he started being around non-family members and hasn't shut up since!
2007-12-23 13:39:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋