Community› The Bump Message Boards› Toddlers: 24 Months+
Toddlers: 24 Months+
New Discussion

Signing vs. Talking

MrsThirdBirdMrsThirdBird member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+
LO is almost 18 months old. He can sign multiple basic signs, like please, more, milk, rain, wind..... and also has an alright vocabulary. He routinely says mama, dada, hello. He said at least a dozen other words, but he used them for 3-4 days, and stops using them. He can point to many animals and a fw other objects in books.

The main question is, how can we encourage him to vocalize what he wants, instead of signing? Or, should be just be glad that he is communicating? Thanks for any input!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Signing vs. Talking

  • law&orderlaw&order member
    At 18mos my son had upwards of 20 signs but only about 10 words. We went through a period where he preferred signs over words. One day I literally told him "say it with your mouth" and pointed to his mouth and said whatever word he was signing. I was surprised that it worked! From that point he began trying more words. However, he didn't catch up to peers in his speech until about 22 months. By 24 mos he had two word phrases and a large vocabulary. At almost 2.5, he still signs some words but also vocalizes them too.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • DizzbombDizzbomb member
    Our County has an early intervention program that assesses children aged newborn through 3 years at no cost. We had similar concerns to what you're describing and set appointments twice (18 mos and 2 yrs). The bureaucracy was a little annoying, but all did their best and were very helpful. They measure on up to 5 factors and ultimately, they determined she was advanced in some, average in others and mild/moderately delayed in speech - there was no concern. Our kid finally had her "language explosion" at two years, five months. It's been crazy, she's suddenly talking up a storm. ...and we did some mild signage (more, water, dog, etc) that wasn't continued at daycare. Long story to recommend that you look into what your County offers for early assessment and potentially therapeutic options. Even if your son is on his own, perfectly fine path, there is no harm in being prepared to be proactive in case he needs a little support to get him started.
    Report Reply
  • CopperT0pCopperT0p member
    We signed with DS, but not all words, just common ones we would use like more, milk, please, eat. 
    When he started saying words, he would do the same thing where he would use a new word a lot for a few days or week, then stop using it.  It was like he figured he'd conquered that word so he moved onto the next.  Then after about 6 months of doing that he pulled all the words back into his everyday vocabulary and started putting a few of them together.  
    We haven't actively signed with him in over a year, and he still will subconsciously sign sometimes when saying please or more. It's pretty awesome. 
    image image

    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers

    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • 1017Shannon1017Shannon member
    My son has seen three speech therapists and they all said as long as YOU say the word when you sign, they will eventually say the word and drop the sign because it's easier. So no harm. Also no harm in trying to say it either I suppose but it won't hurt him to sign until he is ready!
    Report Reply
  • ashiscuteashiscute member
    I would just keep saying the word when he signs and encouraging him to try.  Does he imitate well?  When he signs more say "more crackers" or whatever and then say "can you match mommy's mouth?" and then try it again.  My DD has speech issues and this is what we have done from the beginning.  You don't want to discourage sign usage because you want to encourage any attempt at communication.  Just keep trying with simple words.  And I'd recommend discussing with your pedi at LOs 18mo well check.  
    Report Reply
  • changingnameschangingnames member
    I think you have gotten soe great advice. Our eldest had over 100 signs at 2 years but although we had hear d him use at least a dozen or more words as well as animal sounds, he had three sign phrases, and clearly understood us he would use words for a bit and then stop them, he flat out preferred signing and ultimately needed therapy for a variety of delays (is on the spectrum) now his speech is at or above grade level and his academics are above grade level- still working on control of his body and some social skills. Anyhow- it could be nothing it could be something - I think law and ord's idea of simply asking dc to say it with their mouth or to even withhold wanted items till dc uses the spoken word and if that doesn't work then take advantage of the free regional testing (we did and it was invaluable).
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"