When did LO start talking/waving/clapping?

MissLMS

We went to K's one year pedi appointment yesterday. She is walking all the time now (sometimes running, although she falls down more often when she does that). She can wave, give a high five. She enjoys reading books and tries to turn the pages.

But, I felt like a failure in the communication development. The doctor kept asking us questions about what she she does. She does not point at things she wants (although if I point at things in a book, she will also point at them.) She also does not clap.

As far as words, she says mamama and dada but honestly I don't know that she knows they are names for DH and I. If I ask her where Dada is, she will look for him, but doesn't call out for us.

Long story short... after I left the appointment yesterday I was concerned. The doctor suggested that we point at everything and give everything a name.

How did you work on your DC's vocabulary? How old were they when they started talking?

SeasideBride06

I would not feel bad at all!  To me, it sounds like Kennedy is actually ahead!  Allie started walking the week of her birthday, but did not talk much then.  I think she may have only said mama at the time.  Now, she does follow directions, and point to things, but I don't feel like she talks much either.  I would say Allie only says 4-5 words consistently and she is almost 15 months old. 

 

RachelJohnson

Abby says momma, dada, bye bye, and Baby (the dog). She just started clapping and has been waving for about a week? BUT it took her forever to roll over/crawl. Don't get discouraged! You do a great job and Kennedy is progressing great.

For us, we say the word 500 hundred times (at least it feels like it!). Right now I've been trying 'please' so she will quit grunting when she wants something. She looks at me like I'm crazy, but eventually she will get it.

Sometimes the doctor just wants to make you aware of some things to try and to practice with her. Miss K is doing great!

I'll add that while Abby can say those words, she doesn't call out for us.

amandabrooke81

I distinctly remember at our 12-mo wellness check that M had just started pointing at things and he was doing a weird wave at that point (still don't know if it counts...he just opened and closed his fingers but now he waves "correctly"). So no worries with Miss K!

If she points after you point, then you definitely don't need to worry...she's pointing! Mason first started pointing at random things, but now he points to things he wants (@ 14mo). And if she's looking for DH, then she already understands the meaning of who "Daddy/Dada" is.

I also know a 17-mo-old who doesn't communicate much at all (other than crying/whining) and there's nothing wrong/slow about him, it's just that he's developing differently.

 

I tried flashcards with M, he's not really interested in them other than for chewing purposes. I think reading is very important though and he enjoys that...

IMHO, I'm not going to push for him to learn an early skill because I'd probably end up frustrating him and *might* deter development. I'll introduce things to see if there's interest though. Right now, I talk with M like he's a "big boy"...and sing...and read. I think the more exposure he has to social interaction, conversations, and others communicating, the more he'll develop those skills on his own.

They're like little sponges at this age and even if you don't get immediate responses or feedback from them, it doesn't mean their little brains aren't working overtime processing and learning everything.

sdkrlm

I feel your pain.  At Avery's 1 year appt she was not meeting very many milestones at all.  She didn't day Mama or Dada - just dog.  I think she waved at a year and clapped but wasn't crawling (and of course not walking).  She did babble. 

 I had her evaluated w/ the Early Intervention and she did not qualify for services but was a few months behind.

Between 12-15 months, we REALLY focused on her vocabulary and communication.  At her 15 month appt - she had met all of the milestones except for walking and talking.  We had her hearing checked and her hearing is perfect

Last week we had her 18 month appt.  She still isn't walking - but is VERY close.  It's a mental "won't" - not a Physical CAN'T.  Her vocabulary has blossomed.  She is signing a lot.  Talking a lot more jibberish and she has more words - mainly "uh oh" Avery understands EVERYTHING.  She responds w/ her actions, facial expressions, etc.   I consider this part of communication and am not worried.  The pedi said she is probably a few months behind but will catch up - no worries.  She WILL get there.  She is just doing things at her pace. 

To me, it sounds like Kennedy is doing just fine - just is probably doing things like Avery is - at her own pace.  it's SO hard when there are so many babies here and IRL who are doing all these cool things but we just have to trust that our children are taking it slow.  For Avery, she doesn't try, and then fail.  She just waits until she can do it for SURE and then will do it 100%.  Even her vocabulary words she has are very clear - anyone can understand what words she says.  She is just very methodical in her actions and thought process.  AND - Avery is doing a lot of milestones that are advanced - potty training, eating with a fork, puzzles, climbing.  She is doing some really great things - just not the typical milestones.  OYE.

Hang in there.  If you ever need to talk, vent, compare notes, check each ohter for more grey hair, feel free to email me. 

MissLMS

Thanks for the input everyone. I think yall are right... kids just progress at their own pace. I think K has been so focused on her movement and has a natural curiosity to go places and get into everything that we haven't been very focused on communication, names, etc.

Sarah, I think you are right... children will make their milestones when they are ready. Like Avery, I can tell Kennedy understands certain phrases. Last night I told her it was time to take a bath and she walked to the bathroom. I can ask if her if she wants up and she lifts her arms up. She just isn't making the typical milestones I guess the pedi always asks about.

 Thanks so much for the support, yall! I appreciate it.