Does daycare = verbal skills?

LittleD8081

My son is going to be 22 months next week and he is currently receiving EI services for speech.  He's very smart, but very stubborn.  We've been teaching him signs, but he will only do them for fun, not to really communicate his wants.  For example, he'll sign for train if he sees a train, but he won't sign when he wants to eat he just stands in front of the fridge and starts to say AHHHHHHHHH, AHHHHHHHH.  He says Mama, but not when he wants me, just when he's babbling.  He says Dada the same way.  He says Uh-Oh during appropriate times.  He says "All Done" when I ask if he's done eating or playing or whatever...but it always has to be prompted.

So, here's my question...  Do you think DS would talk if he were in daycare?  FIL watches DS once per week, and he does get some socialization with other kids a few times per month, but I'm always there with him.  I have the luxury of working for myself, so I make my own hours and I work from home alot so there isn't a need for daycare from that perspective.  I'm just feeling a little guilty like I'm holding him back or something.  Saying that sounds stupid...but, it's how I feel.  I don't want to hold him back, but I also don't want to falsely do something without researching it.  So I guess I'm asking if you think being around other kids in daycare helps verbal skills or not.  Is one day per week enough?  Or do you think it requires consistent and constant interaction?  Or do you think I'm barking up the wrong tree?

Thanks for your thoughts.  I'm at a loss. 

IagreewithYAM

No...it = h1n1

JOEBunny

IME, you are barking up the wrong tree.  I worked at a daycare in the 18-24 month room for a while, some kids barely communicates, some talk a lot.  I stay home now and DS has a playgroup of 7 boys, all 21-24 months, and 4 of them are 21 months (all born within a week of each other).  Same thing there, there is a wide range at this age.  I don't think for most kids SAH vs. Daycare has much to do with it. 

sharrow

I think that daycare does help with some things, but I don't know you would see a marked difference in language, especially at this age.

Toddlers are all over the map when it comes to milestones.  Mostly I would just keep encouraging him to speak.

For example, when he stands in front of the fridge, say "Do you want milk, or a snack?".  And keep repeating that until, hopefully, you get some sort of decision and verbal communication on his part.

 

emiliemadison

Interaction with other children who are just learning to speak isnt necessarily going to assist your child in his speech. He will, however, benefit greatly from being spoken to by adults

katekirschner

Nah, I don't think it would make a huge difference. DD goes once a week and has probably close to 150-200 words at 19 months, but I think she was just going to be a verbal kid anyway. Just keep talking to him and teaching him words for things and he will come around when he is ready. DD also loves this huge word book that we have, which I think helps too.

LittleD8081

Thanks for your responses, ladies.  I feel like I'm doing A LOT to try and get him to talk, with little progress.    But, I'll keep at it.  We encourage speaking and DS makes a lot of consonant sounds.  We also try to sing a lot and play games with words and books and letters.  We read to him every.single.night before bed and he knows what's on each page from memory.    Like I said...smart...but stubborn.  I'll keep at it.  I really do appreciate your thoughts on this and you sharing your experiences.

wellfleet04

No, I don't.  I think hearing lots of language all day helps speech.  So if you're narrating your day, reading lots of books, talking to him, etc, you're on the right path.  Being in a room with lots of other kids who are also just learning how to speak =/= being taught how to speak. 

I'm a SAHM and both of my kids were very early, very advanced talkers.  I take no credit for that--it's just who they are and when they developed.  I also take no blame for the fact that my DD didn't walk until 18 months....that's just who she was, too.  I really think that the vast majority of the time kids just talk/walk/whatever when they are developmentally ready to, and that is different for every kid.  If you're not locking him in a silent room all day, you're good.  He's already getting speech therapy--he'll talk when he's ready and probably never stop