I am somewhat concerned because my 15 mo old baby girl doesn't make any of the animal sounds we read about. I try reading to her as much as possible although she doesn't like it very much. I show her animals and tell her about the sounds they make. When I ask her she looks at me and waits for me to make the sound. Any ideas?
On the other hand you could have my 2 yr old who drops down on all 4s at the most inopportune times to pretend he's a cow.
I wouldn't worry about this. She probably just really enjoys hearing you do them, and some day will join in.
If she's making other sounds iwouldn't be concerned. If she's not making other sounds I'd talk to her pediatrician.
If she's making other sounds, I'd turn this into a game. Don't ask her to make the sounds. Involve her by saying such things as "I'm a lion, growl and nuzzle her neck while quietly laughing.
Include sounds in daily conversation. For example, as you pour milk, moo and say "here's your milk from the cow. Make making all sounds a fun game. She will copy you naturally
There is a big change around 15-18 mos. don't worry, she will surprise u!
This can still be normal. Maybe you are so entertaining, she likes watching and listening to you.
Just give her time..
Eventually you will read a sentence and if you pause she will repeat the next line, or insert the sounds..
It will be a few more months..
And believe me, once they start talking, you are going to eventually wonder how to get them to just listen.
Not to be sarcastic, but I didn't know that animal sounds were a milestone or something kids should be doing...
Some of mine did, others didn't.
"reading" to a 15 month old is not like reading to a 3 year old. you don't really hold them still and read the story. they are just to young. and would rather hold /play with the book. not sure what kinds of books your getting. get a couple of board books with bright colors and animals. and do the "where's the piggy, wheres the brown bear"? questions instead of once upon a time. and children learn by example so just keep making the sound and eventually she will make it. do you have a see and say? do they even still make those? I am not sure my kids made animal sounds at 15 months thats awfully young.
I didn't know animal sounds was a milestone.
Sometimes kids don't make sounds (or even talk at all) because we adults do all of that for them! They can sit back and be entertained by us, or we do the talking and anticipate all of their needs.
Also, sometimes kids are developing in different ways, and they do things in a different order from some of their peers. The early talkers are sometimes later to walk or do develop gross motor skills. The kids on their feet at 8 months may be more active and less involved with fine motor skills.
You're ruled out any hearing problems, and I assume she's making other sounds because you've limited your concern to animal sounds only. So maybe she's not "there" yet to realize that certain living things make specific sounds, or maybe she's just not all that interested!
If she doesn't appear to like reading, I wonder if you should switch the time of day when you read? Maybe you're doing it at a time when she's too tired, or when she really wants to be running around. Try some other types of books and include some that are tactile or interactive - things with different surfaces to touch, flaps to lift, and so on. Try other media as well - CDs in her room or in the car, etc. She may hear animal songs that way. Try singing along with some of them but not all the time - let her just take in the sounds and process them. Music in general is a great way to get kids to imitate by singing along, plus they are hearing a voice that is other than the mom's.
And really, try to just wait - by and large, kids all catch up to each other in due time. Enjoy all the things she's really advanced at, and that she enjoys.
Maybe she just doesn't want to.
She clearly understands but either is hesitant and unsure how to do it, or she prefers hearing you do it. You do know that if you read somewhere that babies make animal sounds "at or by a certain age" that it's a guideline, right? That it's not set in stone? That it's not required?
There's nothing wrong with your daughter. Animal sounds isn't even a true milestone.
