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JMC11511 · May 2013

LO is 18 months. He definitely has at least 6 words but he's pretty sporadic in his usage of them. He mostly babbles, DH says he speaks another language. He is on track developmentally in all areas per his pedi. I am just wondering what I can do to encourage more words from him. I'm a first time Mom, as if that wasn't obvious from this ridiculous question. Any reassurance or input is appreciated.

christinak22 · May 2013

With DD, we asked her questions all the time to encourage her to talk and answer them ourselves after a bit of waiting and discussing so she could get the whole picture of how question/answer works. When she pointed and grunted for something, we would say, "What do you want? Do you want the juice on the counter? Say please? Juice please! Thank you, mama!" all while giving her the juice. It sounds ridiculous when I write it, but being really verbal like this, with alternating "adult language" and "kid language" is really helpful. She has amazing vocabulary, but part of this is definitely her personality--DS isn't picking up quite as quickly, but we're working on it

namara5532 · May 2013

I wouldn't be concerned yet. MIL tells me that DH was a late talker because he was studying others talking and didn't want to try until he was sure what he was doing. Now he rambles. lol

I don't think it becomes a red flag unless LO doesn't have any words by age 2. It never hurts to ask your pediatrician's opinion if it concerns you of course.

Netty_3 · May 2013

Lo doesn't have a ton of words...no reciting the declaration of independence quite yet...but he loves songs and books and yes learned a lot of vocabulary from that. Maybe don't just read but sing songs and talk to him. LO and I have conversations. Babnles lead to words.

Nala37 · May 2013

At our 15 mo. appointment, our pedi told us to do baby sign language with DS to help encourage language development. She said you don't have to learn sign language, you can just make up your own signs and make sure you use them consistently. We were also encouraged to narrate a lot of what we were doing and have "conversations" with DS. At 15 mo. DS only had about 3 words and a couple of animal sounds, and now at 18 mo. he actively uses about 15-20 words, a whole zoo of animal sounds, and knows several more words, but does not say them often.

Don't worry, each child is different and will talk at their own pace. I'm sure your LO will be chattering away with lots of words in no time

lexusolsen · May 2013

I would research sign language more before introducing it. I have no professional experience with this age group, but as a mom watching other parents and their kids... Any kids who were taught sign language spoke later than their peers. It makes sense to me because if they can communicate their wants/ needs through signs then they have no motivation to speak.

DD has a very developed vocabulary. We read to her, sing songs, narrate as PP mentioned above, and point out objects to her constantly. Every kid develops at a different rate. If your pedi isn't worried, I would try not to be either.

aandg · May 2013

lexusolsen:

I would research sign language more before introducing it. I have no professional experience with this age group, but as a mom watching other parents and their kids... Any kids who were taught sign language spoke later than their peers. It makes sense to me because if they can communicate their wants/ needs through signs then they have no motivation to speak.

DD has a very developed vocabulary. We read to her, sing songs, narrate as PP mentioned above, and point out objects to her constantly. Every kid develops at a different rate. If your pedi isn't worried, I would try not to be either.

Signing can actually help encourage language development. There is absolutly no reason to not introduce it.

lexusolsen · May 2013

aandg:
lexusolsen:

I would research sign language more before introducing it. I have no professional experience with this age group, but as a mom watching other parents and their kids... Any kids who were taught sign language spoke later than their peers. It makes sense to me because if they can communicate their wants/ needs through signs then they have no motivation to speak.

DD has a very developed vocabulary. We read to her, sing songs, narrate as PP mentioned above, and point out objects to her constantly. Every kid develops at a different rate. If your pedi isn't worried, I would try not to be either.

Signing can actually help encourage language development. There is absolutly no reason to not introduce it.

I had a hard time finding something from a reliable source that had actual scientific evidence proving it was helpful in the language development of typically developing children. I did read something that mentioned moms who teach their babies sign are usually more aware of the child's nonverbal ques and that it promotes interaction. I realize my anecdote isn't scientific evidence either, I was just making an observation.

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