13 Month Old Boy Grunting & Frustrated

Dear M.,

Gentle repetition... let him know by showing him that you can't and don't understand him if he won't use his words. He probably will throw a tantrum in the beginning but if you stay with it and learn how to hold yourself and rock through the phase (;) it helped me lol), it will get better.

Unfortunately it's like a power struggle that we have to take control of. Others have told me when I was going through it to give them a choice. The obvious what you want him to do and the less desirable what he doesn't want to do.

Eventually... Over time it will work out. It just takes time and patience. I do like the signing idea, I'm having my 3rd and I think I'll use that one this time and Oh yeah... he's only 13 months! hee hee ~ he's doing just what he should be learning how to communicate!

May the force b w/u (lol)

C

Let him watch shows, like sprout TV, Noggin, and Mister Rogers

These shows help them hear language , working from home,you probably don't do much talking to HIM, or anyone else, which limits what he hears.

Not to mention he is only 13 months old LOL

My 3 year old, doesn't talk much, but thats his personality,
however my 2 year old talks up a storm

Each child has a diffrent pace, but but talking to him,
regularly, saying What would you like to eat, whould you like Apple and hold it up, or Orange, or toast, or choclate,

Lets make chicken nuggets, I like chicken nuggets,
Lets put them in the OVen,

Set the timer and say, they will be ready in 15 minutes, when you hear the beep, that means they are ready..

Are you hungry, go sit in your chair,
are you thristy, do you want MILK, do you want JUICE.

Do you want the spiderman cup, or Thomas the train.

SAy the words YES and nod your head,
or NO and shake your head.

Show him how to point at things.

Tell him to clean up, and show him and help him to clean up

Say throw this in the garbage, and then show him HOW, and where.

too many options are frustrating and confusing,

Hope this helps, keep working at it.

M

I used sign language with my son. He was able to communicate with us without frustration by using that. There are books out there for that - Baby Signs, I think is one. I am fluent in sign so I didn't need to use books, but I have heard that there are GREAT ones out there. I highly recommend that option. Just work on the signs for things that he would want to communicate most often... and things like please and thank you... help... I'm in CT too so I'd be happy to help if you're interested with that kind of thing. OH - and it did NOT limit his use of verbal skills once he mastered them. Some who were impressed with his sign were also worried that he wouldn't learn to speak... Oh my goodness he does not STOP talking now that he's two, and in fact, speaks in full sentences (7-8+ words) and pretty clearly. It's really neat. I don't know if that was what he would have done anyway, or if the sign communication helped in that regard, but either way, the signing worked great and was easy for him to learn with repetition... Email me if you have questions about how to go about it. I'd be happy to tell you what worked for us.

Good luck

Hey M.!
I hear you on the lack of words. My daughter just turned 2 and sometimes when she gets wound up and just wines without words and I find myself saying the same thing "use your words". Since your boy is still young- I would also say to try the sign language. I did that with my daughter and it was so much fun. Some people get worried that it will slow down their child's speach- but as soon as your kid learns to say the word you are signing- they stop that sign. You could even google it and find a # of signs. Good luck! I know days can be even harder when they are teething too :)