"Toddler Talking in Sentences"

I have son that will be 3 in September and he just started using sentences about a month ago. We also have a large collection of books and we read everyday, so I know you are on the right track. I wouldn't be too concerned as boys generally develop a little slower in the language department compared to girls. I never thought my son was going to using sentences and out of the blue he starts babbling away! If you get overly concerned you can always take him to his doctor and see what he/she recommends!

I think it is fine, every child does things at a different pace. My kids really started sentences around 3 yrs old. I have a friends whose daughter talked at 1 yrs old, literally babbling and her son still doesn't talk and he is almost 2. If you are worried, the ped should let you know at the next visit.

It is hard not to compare isn't it. I wouldn't worry. Each child is different and boys and second born (even though it is like he is first born with the age differenc) sometimes take longer. My son is almost 3 and he just started putting 5 word sentences together about 2 months ago and just keeps going. My 18 month old only says 4 words...ball, bowl, ah oh, kee kat (kitty cat). My ped said not to worry. I wouldn't worry either. Has he ever had ear infections? That can also play a roll in later speech.

Hi! I would say you are worrying too much, but then again, I did the same thing :) (I guess that comes with the territory of being moms :)

My first daughter talked in full sentences by 2 years old also. And then my second, turned 3 YEARS OLD and THEN began to talk full sentences... all the while, I worried a lot and then some, but was calmly I waited and waited... I knew I was doing the right thing, reading to her, talking to her in full sentences my self, not guessing what she wanted but waiting for the answers from her (those that sometimes never came also)....
it'll get to him, before you know it, you might have a "parrot" for a kid as I do with mine... good luck!!!
M.

Hi Hi J.! I am in the same boat that you are. My daughter is 2 and a half (born Dec. 2006) and is just now starting to put a few words together. And she usually does not use verbs. At her two year checkup our pediatrician ased if she said over 50 words, and if she was putting words together to for simple sentences. The answer was no, so he suggested we contact Tennessee Early Intervention Services (TEIS) to have her evaluated. They come to your home to evaluate your child for a delay (in our case a language delay). If your child qualifies, then they start therapy at your home for NO CHARGE. We had her evaluated, and she barely passed the test, which means she didn't qualify. Last week we took her to the dr. for her 30 month checkup, and he said we needed to get her evaluated again. (She can be evaluated every 3 months.) So we are setting up a time to do that again. Anyways, before we contacted TEIS, I thought that you had to have a referral to do so. But the evaluator said No, that if you as a parent have a concern, you can contact them. No need for dr.s permission. (We also have a son that is 16 months older than our daughter that was talking in full, expressive sentences by 18 months - so we have the same concern as you). The good thing is, yes, our daughter is starting to say more. But still not as much as what is typical for her age. Anyways...if you are concerned, call TEIS. Their number is ###-###-####. They are wonderful to work with. And if they evaluate your child and say everything is fine, then you don't have to worry. But if therapy is needed, it is great to know that they will do it. Good luck!!!

First children talk sooner and make sentences sooner. We are better parents with our second children. They do not have to communicate as well for us to understand what they want. As a result they don't have to communicate as well. Don't worry about it. Your son will have a language explosion soon and catch up quickly.

Sweetheart..Girl vs Boy..there is no comparison. Girls do everything faster than boys because they want to "meet the challenge" and like adult women, little girls LOVE to communiicate. Your little boy is fine. If you feel like you need to do something then whenever she says "chocolate milk" tell him to ASK for it nicely with a Please included. This will teach him sentence structure as well as manners. If he refuses, no chocolate milk!

He is talking in sentences :-). Just not long ones. "Big Bird Cry. is a sentence. It takes a while longer for boys to get a hang of things, most of them. My little boy was the same way. If you are still concerned mention to your pediatrician, but he sounds just fine to me. :-) Keep reading and he will catch on.

While it is probably not a big deal, if this is something that bothers you call Early Childhood Intervention. They are a FREE speech therapy program (no matter how much you make) and they made a world of difference in my son! He was saying only 10-15 words before they came and by 27 months old was speaking in full sentences! They will come and evaluate him and if they think he needs their services will offer them to you free of charge. If they think he is on track then you have your answer! I hope this helps and good luck!

My younger daughter who is now 3, it just starting to put sentences together. I wouldn't worry about it too much. It is probably because of the age difference of your kids.
My 2 older kids are 20 & 17 and they just are not around the baby that much. You could try getting your son into some playgroup with other kids his age. That has helped my daughter a lot!

Just remember that he is a boy. Girls' big thing is talking! Boys are more physical and would probably walk earlier than the girls their age. I would say not to worry since he does seem to have good understanding of what is going on around him, can express what he wants and seems to interact well with you. You might consider checking with Early Intervention to see what services they might offer him. They could give him speech therapy or something called Special Instruction. Or you might consider a good play group or Mother's Day Out program with other kids his age. My son is in MDO lead by different types of pediatric therapists and a group speech class that is lead by a speech therapist and works on them learning from each other, helping them learn back and forth communication, etc. Now you want to get as much from Early Intervention as you can now if you decide to do that. Because when he turns 3, he would be transitioned to the public school system and it seems harder to get what you want through the school than when they are in EI.
My son was diagnosed with a mild form of autism and I can tell you, even though his case is mild, he was not doing or saying most of what your say your son is at that age. He lost the appr. 10 words he did have at around 18mos and after that, only said 'aaahhh' for every syllable he tried to say until he was about 33mos old.
Biggest thing may be just getting your son interacting with other kids his age and maybe working with Early Intervention to see what they can do to help. He would have to be evaluated by them and would have to be delayed enough for him to qualify for services.
Good Luck!

J., Don't worry about your son not speaking as well as your daughter did because boys take longer to do everything than girls do. Just wait until you potty train, you will see what I mean.

You're worrying too much. :)

At 2 my daughter wasn't saying 2 word phrases yet and our pediatrician said it wasn't a big deal and by 3 we'd be amazed at how well she talked.

My guess is that your son is a lot more active that your daughter was at that age? In our playgroup the kids that are super active, climbing, jumping, running, constantly moving are behind in their speech compared to the ones that walked later and are generally more still.

AHHHH! Don't worry J., son is kind of the same. I noticed if I pay close attention he does say jumbled sentences. "Where-e-go?" for where did it go, and at the park he will say "Sly, DO NOW, meme." Which is I want to go down the slide mommy. I do think boys are slower, they seem to be more interested in physical development. My son loves to read and loves to play flash cards and stickers. The other day he started saying "I lub-u meme/daddy." Don't fret, it just takes lots of patience.

We had the same thing happen. Our second child was talking in clear, complete sentences by 18 months, and our daughter, who is now almost three was barely saying 50 words by age two. She is only now starting to talk in longer sentences and is still very hard to understand. It has been very hard not to compare. Her pediatrician was concerned at her two year appointment, but he has since decided that given the obvious level of comprehension and the fact that she has two older siblings who can talk circles around anyone, that there is nothing to be concerned about yet. We have had a hard time not comparing and being concerned because of our second child being so verbal; however, in just the last week alone she has made so much progress that I'm not really that worried anymore. I don't know if this helps at all, but I wanted you to know you aren't alone.

He's fine. My son(2 1/2 yrs) doesn't always try to talk in sentences. Most of the time it's in 2-3 words. When he does try to talk in sentences most of the time we don't understand him anyways. Most at this age know more then they can say. He'll get there-no worries. Plus, they don't really have the control yet to make the appropriate sounds with their mouths. Don't compare your son with your daughter. Girls mature a lot faster then boys, even in the womb. Girls have a higher survival rate when born early. He'll get there-in his own time.

That is totally normal. My son didnt start using regular sentences until he was 3 years and some odd months. My daughter was talking in full senteces at 2. It is just the differences in boys and girls. Dont fret.

J., try not to worry too much. He sounds like he is right on target and doing great. Keep in mind he's the baby and doesn't need to say too much to get what he wants...both of my 2nd and 3rd children didn't speak much since sissy was always there to do what they wanted! However, that soon changed! Now I can't get them to be quiet! congratulations and just relax and enjoy him!

If he understands everything you are telling him, can follow directions, communicates (either by words, gestures, showing what he wants/needs) and is making steady verbal progress (even if it seems slow) then I wouldn't worry too much. If he is doing those things, then he mentally understands and doesn't have a hearing problem, physical or mental issue most likely. He's just slower to talk. If he has difficulty understanding directions or doesn't "communicate" clearly, then you may want to talk to the doc. Otherwise, just keep encouranging him and he'll progress. Good luck. : )

The "average" is 2 word phrases per year of the child's age. So, if your son is saying 2 words at a time, he is perfectly within the normal range of what other children his age are doing. Of course some children are way ahead of this norm, like your daughter. But remember, there are some 2.5 year old's that are still only saying single words.

I believe your daughter was a very advanced child. But in no way is your son behind.

Hey J... I would say, yes, you are worrying too much!! Each child is different and begins at their own pace. Girls are normally more advanced than boys too. My brother never said more than 1 word until he was almost 3. Then he just started with sentences.. and he is a millionaire now!!!! Just keep up the good work of what you are doing, and I feel confidant, he will start talking more soon!!! Good luck and God bless!!

Hi J.,

I am a speech-language pathologist. I just wanted to let you know that your son is right on track. You have nothing to worry about! Some children, like your daughter, pick up language quicker than others. Your son is actually right where he should be for a 2 year-old. I'm glad to hear he enjoys books so much. Keep on reading to him...that's a great way to continue stimulating his language.

Have a good day!
-K.

Boys....they start later. Our 1 st son only said 5 words when he was 18 months.....our doctor was concerned. I was not. He was tested at 3 y o and was 9 months ahead of his age group in his speech....do not worry.

My 22yo son was one month shy of his 3rd birthday before he even did a 2 word sentence. He said single words and few at that My pediatrician wouldn't test his hearing or even worry about it until he was 3 he said. Well after he started that little sentence he just started adding more and more sentences.

Girls advance more quickly than boys vocal wise so it's no surprise she talked sooner. Girls tend to chatter away, sometimes in gibberish, with their dolls whereas boys tend to make noises (guns, airplanes) with their toys. SO I wouldn't worry too much. He sounds like he's doing well for 2-1/2. Just keep talking to him, encourage but don't push and he'll get up to speed in no time.

My youngest brother is mentally challenged. When he was around 2 he was sick and put in the hospital. It was those doctors and nurses who realized that he was not talking. We did not really notice it because we knew what he wanted and would not make him say it or the sentences to ask for things or just talk. We never talked baby talk around any of the babies, family or friends. I would talk to the pediatrician at the next appt. if it is soon or call and talk to the nurse and she can relay it to the doctor. He can will probably want to talk to you or see him. If he refers you check with your insurance to see if you need a referral to a speech therapist. In MO there is an United Way center that worked with kids that needed speech, physical and/or occupational therapies. They went during the day like a school until they could go into a regular school that had classes they could do. It is now a regular daycare center that any child can go to so the kids are intergrated right away. They still have all the therapies so the kids that need those services still get them. I am not sure if they have a center like that in Knoxville or any surrounding areas or not. Another place to look into for services is the local University. I have a friend who is a missionary in Little Rock Arkansas, her sons have had speech therapy since they were young. When they moved to Arkansas she started looking into places there and found an awesome program at the University. The students work with them under the supervision of the teachers,professors and faculty. She said the therapy they received there was better than what they had from speech therapist before they moved. The cost was cheaper and much easier to budget for them as well. Good Luck and I will keep your family in my prayers!