Any Suggestions on Getting My Daughter to Talk More?

Hi K.,

I actually work with toddlers with speech delays as a part of my work as an Early Interventionist with a local school district. I thought I would share a link from the American Speech Language Hearing Association which provides a developmental checklist so you have a good idea what skills your daughter should be working on right now as well as tips and strategies to encourage language development:

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/

I'm also sharing the link to Early On which is the county wide early intervention program. You can request a developmental assessment free of charge. If she qualifies, your family will be eligible for home visits by an Interventionist as well as participation in their developmental playgroups such as their "Chatterbox" group which is geared towards getting the little ones talking:

http://kentisd.org/Special_Education/earlyon/

Finally, here is a link to the Bright Beginnings program. They provide playgroups, home visits, and developmental screenings to families with children ages birth to three free of charge. It is a FANTASTIC program that I wish would have been available to me when my kids were little:

http://kentisd.org/brightbeginnings/index.htm

Good luck to you, K.. I hope you find this information helpful. Feel free to drop me an e-mail if you have any questions!

J.

Play a lot with your child and talk to them constantly. When she says something that is unclear - say the correct word for her. Or, even just repeat what she says 'yes, that's right, this is a cup!".

If you have concerns about her speech and not using enough words - I recommend you call Early On of MI (they are an early intervention service that is FREE!) They can evaluate your child and determine if speech therapy would help her. Also - your school district can do an assesment and provide FREE speech therapy if necessary.

My son has been recieving speech services for almost 3 years now and it has made a HUGE difference. I would much rather get his speech corrected now - before school age! Currently, my son is very receptive to speech therapy (its basically a lot of play time - but the therapist has him working on different sounds, etc.)

Hi K.,

I wouldn't be to concerned at this age. If you do want to check into it more I would start with a hearing test to rule out anything medical. Then I would just try to give her new experiences, ie..park, rides, animals...things that she might want to talk to you about. Of course this woudl not come in full sentences but she would try to say what she is excited about.

R.

I run a daycare in my home and all of the children are ages 23 months to 29 months.

They are all at varying levels of speech. They have all had language improvements once they began daycare. I think more interaction with other children would help you to decide if your child needs to be evaluated.

My nephew just recently started talking and he's almost 3 1/2. They took him to have his hearing checked when he was about 2 1/2 because they were concerned about it, and all seemed to be well. My sister-in-law isn't much of a talker though, and she is home with him the majority of the time. I think your thought that she will talk when she is ready is the correct one. So just keep talking to her wherever you are, about whatever comes to mind. If there is still a concern, see what your Pediatrician thinks.

hello let me start by saying you are doing everthing right my nephew was the same ways in till his 3 birthday then he just started talking now he is 12 year old and going in the tenth grade so i guess what i am saying is maybe she just has nothing to say keep doing what you are and she will let you know when she ready to talk

Hi K.,
I wouldn't worry about it. I bet one day she will just start talking. I have two sons and my first talked way before my second. My second is 17 months and doesn't say anything but MaMa and More (he likes to eat). At that age my older son was saying a lot more. I don't worry at all. It will happen and if you really get worried talk to your ped. Good luck.
Chris

Well i think by the time she's about 2 1/2 she'll be talking, because my daughter just turned 2 in MArch and she went from doing the same thing as your child is doing t saying a lot more things! And I also was talking to this lady the other day who said just wait untill yours is 2 1/2 and she'll be talking like you wuldn't beliee cause they learn so fast! So don't worry!

Hi K.~

A year ago, I had my son(at age 3) evaluated by a speech pathologist (done through our school district) because I felt he wasn't on track. I was right....he has weekly sessions now. And it's made a world of difference. Like you said, all children develop at different rates, so sometimes it's hard judging when or if there's a problem. Maybe wait through the summer & once school starts up, look into it (it's free through your school district!) Maybe your daughter will have a talking explosion over the summer & you won't need too!

One great DVD that our speech teacher suggested is by Leap Frog called "The Letter Factory". My son loves it, and my 18 month old repeats the sounds too.

Good luck! K. :)

I am a mom of six and eachone has talked at a differnt pace. We have 15 month twins that only say mommy and daddy so i would not worry if she can hear you and understand you she is fine.the twins are are last two of our children and are around tons of kids and this has not helped them either so don't worry just enjoy your baby while she is still one thay grow up way to fast. God bless C. croff

Hi. My daughter didnt talk much either. I suppose if I didn't have learning problems when young I wouldn't had thought to try a school program. In Monroe County it is called ISD..she went through 2 schools that had the "ISD" program. She even got used to all day school when she was only 4...preschool and then Head start with the "regular" kids. So for Kindergarten I got lucky and got her into the all day program since she was already used to it. To this day she has a speech teacher. So I suggest to look in the phone book and call around to see about the programs in your area. Maybe the dr can help.
if ya need to talk I ma in the same boat...mom of one allthough I have been mothering my stepdaughter for almost ayear now. (she is 9, mine is 7)

K.,
I would surely try to have more interation with other children.... also when my son did this, it was because my duaghter was talking for him.... soooo we had to just "ignore" the "points and grunts" as he knew what to say, but yet refused....
It is very hard, but try ignoring what you know he can say.... just walk away until he says it to you... Hard, but works.... If not, I would go to the ped and at least ask ?'s
Good Luck
T.

my daughter was saying a few words here and there at two but it was alot of jabber too. it sounds like your doing everything right. my daughter is 2 1/2 and one day she literally spit out a sentence and hasn't stopped since! so yours will too when you least expect it. I would recommend if yours can say simple words try to put 2 simple words together and have your little one repeat it just to get them to put 2 words together. keep reading! and keep teaching words and making noises with her. try making her TELL you what she wants, if you know what she wants say she's pointing to her doll and she won't say it tell her to TELL you what she wants tell her to say doll..mine still jabbers even though she talks alot so your will pick it up. good luck

I wouldnt worry about it, my daughter didnt talk one day and woke up the next talking none stop. my daughter is 2 1/2 and can talk up to 9 word sentances, but she still does alot of jabbering. just depends on her mood. every kid does things at her own pace, and the more you want he to talk the more she probably wont. Im having that problem with potty training.

my daughter is the same way--alot of jibberish and not a whole lot of words--anyway she is over 2 years old and I have a 5 year old. I was thinking the same as you--wondering if something was wrong? here are some questions? Does she respond to what you are asking her to do? Does she Point identify things in a book? If the answer is yes to these things than she is fine and she probably will speak on her own terms--I would not worry --I asked the doctor and I think that week she decided to say. at least 4 new words, LOL she has time don't worry about other kids and what they are doing--my girlfriends daughter is talkin in complete sentences and she is a little younger. I hope this helps...just enjoy them they are only young once.

My son is the same way (turned 2 on the 3rd of June). He understands everything I tell him, and is trying to talk but mixes "real" words with a whole lot of babble. As long as they are TRYING to talk, there is nothing to worry about. I've spoken to my pediatrician, who is not concerned, when we went in a few weeks ago for an ear infection. I've also spoken with a number of people who specialize in testing for developmental disorders (helps when you are in grad school for psychology) and they all say he is fine.

Good luck!

Hi K.!

I agree with what the other gals have already said. It sounds like you are doing everything right, just keep with it. You may try asking her to 'tell you', what something is, ask for something, ask her lots of questions, etc. and really play up the praise when she does tell you.

If you are really concerned, I would make sure that you talk to your doctor at your next visit and see what he says.

J.