20 Month Old Not Talking Much

I talked to my daughter about everything I was doing, all the time!!! Maybe too much. For instance, when we're at the store, I would name the items I was putting in the cart. "Bannana!" Then talk about the word. "Baby likes banannas. Banannas are so yummy!" Start with the basics, and use one or two word sentances just to simplify for him. Also, when he gets frustrated, say what you think he wants, or is thinking, like, "up?" or "more?" If you know which letters he can say, that might help you choose which words to work with first. I also said the alphabet with her. One letter at a time, so I could get to know which ones she could say. When he learns a few words, you know he knows what to say when he wants something, don't respond unless he "uses his words." And don't forget please (peas) and thank you (tu-tu).
He might need reminding. Just keep at it. Most boys I know didn't talk until they were 2 or older. You just have to help him along for now, he'll get it!

B.,
Don't worry about the talking. He's probably just observing how to say things; but once he gets going, he'll never stop. LOL My son barely even made sounds until he was around 2 years or so--he was very quiet. Now he's almost three and talks non-stop, from 6 am to 7:30 p.m. (he even talks to himself a lot). (Even as I'm writing, he's pointing to this email--"Mom. Mom. Hey Mom? what is that?" :)
J.

Just to let you know, I have a 20 month old boy who only says a few words also. I'm not a bit concerned. When he's ready, he will speak. Everyone learns at different rates. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with him. I don't think it is unusual for 20 month old boys to have a limited vocabulary at this point. Don't sweat it. It's perfectly normal to learn things at different rates.

I have a 22 month old boy and at his 18 mo. checkup I expressed concern to his dr. that I didn't think he was talking very much either. She suggested that he get an assessment through Child Find/Developmental Pathways which is a free service through the county. I went ahead with that assessment and he did qualify for free speech therapy. We have since started it and although I have not had many sessions yet, I have been given exercises to do with him to help him along. I have not been given an actual diagnosis yet as to why he is not talking (he says a handful of words) other than right now they think he might just be a late bloomer as many boys are I am told. So if might be worth pursuing to give you some peace of mind. If you want more information please feel free to email me and I'd be happy to talk to you more about it. I am also a SAHM of one boy so I understand what you are going through. Hang in there! A.

I can't help but think of the saying, "You spend the first 2 yrs trying to get them to walk and talk, and spend the next 20 yrs trying to get them to sit down and shut up." It's still too early by most developmental guidelines, don't worry. Our twins were consistently 2 months ahead of most developmental markers except for talking. However, at about 26-27 months they took off like bandits. It was unbelievable how fast they picked up words. That's when it gets really fun and funny. Good luck.

my son was a late talker as well. his pediatrician recommended doing sign language with him, which he loved, and also pretty much make him want to talk. he suggested that with thinks like drink, or ball or other small words always say the word when you give it to him, and when you're sure he actaully knows the word don't just give it to him without at least having him attempt to say the word. both of these worked for my son and now he talks pretty much non stop!don't worry too much though, lots of kids his age don't talk a lot yet. just keep encourang him.

If you live in Douglas County there is a FREE service called Developmental Pathways. There telephone number is ###-###-####, or website at www.PathwaysHomeCare.org. My 18 month old only had 5 words, I read to him everyday and tried to get him to talk but he just wouldn't. They evaluated him and found nothing physically or mentally wrong so they sent a speech therapist out to our house once a week free of charge. After about 2 months he was talking more and after 6 months we could not get him to stop talking, he is now almost 3 and talks better than any of his cousins or friends :)

READ, read, read! Point out real things and name them. Kids have to hear things 80 times before they learn the concept. Give him positive feedback. Sing songs. That's a great tool to help learning. If you are concerned, have him see a pediatrician or specialist. It's better to be safe than sorry. If there is some sort of problem, it's better to take care of it sooner than later.

He may just be working on other things first. All kids develop differently. I would try just really talking to him all day long. Like when I cook for my son, I explain each step like I'm hosting a cooking show, I basically just narrate everything I'm doing. And I also ask him questions, even if he can't answer them, its gets them used to conversing. Hope this helps

My daughter was quite similar to your son. At 2, she had about 35 words. By two and a half, she was speaking in complete sentences. So while I think it's good to pay attention, from what my pediatrician told me, you don't need to be worried yet. By the way, those animal sounds and truck sounds and so on do count as words. He knows them because they interest him. Perhaps you could get him to name things by asking him what things make the sounds he knows. I found that the baby version of "I Spy" books helped, too. Instead of simply finding the stuff the book tells you to, talk about all the things in the pictures. With my daughter, I also found it useful to insist (when I knew she knew the words) that she ask me for things she wanted using words instead of gestures.

Hope that helps.

There is a book that is called, How to Raise a Smarter Child By Kindergarten. My father gave it to me when my first was born, about 2 years ago. I just started reading it and it is great! There is a whole section of the book, that gives you games you can play with your child to help their development. Each activity is age appropriate. I would highly reccomend this book. You can get it at Barnes and Noble.

My son didn't talk very much either. At his 2 year old check up I expressed concerns to his doctor. She didn't think this was a concern since boys usually develop language later than girls and each child develps at a different rate. He was very active and took everything in. He also understood a lot more than he could say. I took her advice to wait and within a few months he was speaking in complete sentences. He just turned 3 and is constantly saying new things that completely amaze my husband and me. I really don't think you need to be concerned yet.

My oldest son did not start talking until just before his 2nd birthday. And then he started talking in sentences. Literally! He walked up to me while I was still in bed and asked for a bowl of cereal. I just about fell out of bed. And he hasn't stopped. My last child could talk, she just chose not to. Some kids seem to wait like my oldest son until he was ready and some kids just don't want to especially if they feel like they are getting what they want or need with their currant communication skills.
Just be patient and let them work at their own pace. You will see. It will happen.
I also agree with teaching them some basic sign language. Sometimes children lack confidence. My middle child wanted to talk so bad and tried so hard but had a huge issue with her phonetics so she stopped talking. Using sign language helped her feel more confident in her ability to communicate that it was easier for us to work on her phonetics.

Hi B.,
As a Psychologist and a mother of a little boy, I have to say you are getting great advice from all the other mothers. 20 months is still relatively early for boys to begin speaking (they are typically slower than girls in this area)and it sounds like he is already well on his way with communicating through other types of sounds that he is more comfortable with. Those sounds do count as words and it seems like he is using a lot of them. Also, small children are only capable of doing/learning a limited number of things at any given time. If your little guy is especially interested in an activity other than talking, such as physical mastery or learning the mechanics of things (such as how his toys work) he may be working to his full developmental capacity, just not in the area you are particularly interested in. Narrating your activities together throughout the day, naming things your child is interested in, reading together, playing word games together, singing, you talking in his language during play time(i.e. vroom, toot...), and all the other great suggestions you've gotten can encourage him to participate if he wants to. However, he will only participate verbally if he wants to. You are definitely on the right track and I understand your wanting your little one to begin talking. I could only take the grunting, pointing, and then me playing the guessing game for so long without longing for real words. A popular phrase that parents use when ecouraging their children to participate is "use your words" especially when your child is wanting an object or something you know he can say. You are probably already doing all the right things and most likely don't need to go out and spend money on special developmental toys and books unless you really want to and have the means to do so. Good luck.

My son (now 26 mos.) was the same way. He really didn't talk (nothing more than mama / dada) until he was about 22 months but then when he started it was a snowball effect - he went from one syllable words at a time and pointing to being able to string together proto sentences and repeat any word we say within a few weeks.

I didn't seek out any evaluation or get any professional advice on things to encourage him but as far as communication and vocabulary goes, I think reading to him helped a lot and just talking to him. You could even use his animal / truck sounds as a jumping off point. Singing simple songs might help too. It is tough at this stage, but he'll get his words soon!

Just remember: The sooner he starts talking, the sooner he can talk back! Just kidding. Actually, that very well may happen. My daughter started talking pretty early and was speaking full sentences at about 20 months. However, my twin boys still aren't talking much, and they're 22 months this month. They say a few words and sounds, but like your son, they just aren't interested in speaking. They communicate well, just not with words. My daughter has a friend (3 1/2) who is speaking, but not nearly as well as my daughter (same age). I've heard that boys on average are a little slower to develop in many ways than girls are. I think your son sounds pretty normal. He'll start speaking soon. One thing you can try to do with him is to talk to him about everything. As you're making his lunch, tell him that you're getting out his cup (show it to him) and then say that you're putting in the milk (show it to him), etc. And when you put his plate in front of him, see if he will try to repeat each item on it. Some days he'll probably make a good effort. Some days he'll probably not be interested in the least. This can work when you're reading books too. Don't actually read the words, just ask him to point to objects on the page. Ask "Where's the dog?" and have him point to it. Then see if he'll say "dog." But really, he'll start speaking more when he's ready. Don't worry too much about it.

Both my boys were slow to talk and it worried me, too. I had my sister assess them (she's a speech pathologist). My oldest just said "CAR!" for the longest time. Turns out they just needed a little extra time and then suddenly they were both talking up a storm. I've learned from them not to push; if you're confident everything is ok with your son then I'm sure he'll be increasing his vocabulary very soon!
M.

I wouldn't worry. 20 months is still young. My youngest didn't start talking until he was well over two. He has no problems now. encourage him by talking to him all the time. Ask him many questions a day. Like when you're dressing him, say, what color is your shirt or something like that. The more you talk to him, the more he'll respond. Sometimes I felt like a fool because I always kept up a line of chatter while with them at that age. In the stroller going to the store or taking a walk, I'd talk about everything I saw. I'd give the kids time to answer but if they didn't I answered my own question. My oldest talked at ten months. So each child is different. Good luck!!!!

As long as there are some words momma/dad those kinds of things I wouldn't worry, I have 7 kids and my oldest does have a speach problem and I must admit that with each kid after I worried about it the same but all of mine talked at different times my know 19 month old does have a large vocabulary but we make him attempt to say them. My know 4 year old said nothing when she turned 2 and within the month she was talking in 2-3 word sentences and know she sounds like an adult. Every child talks when they are ready and have something to say, so long as he is making attempts and babbling I wouldn't be worried. As a side note my 6 year old son only meowed like a cat and barked like a dog until he was 20 months old, my MIL swore he was the next animal whisperer :). I don't know if he can talk to animals but he has no speach problems!

Don't push him. He will come around on his own. The best things you can do are talk to him often, about the things you are doing during the day, and read to him. That will help his vocabulary a lot.

I have a 22 month old boy and kind of can feel what your going through. I have had the advice from many people how to increase my child's talking ability. They mentioned to talk, talk, and talk to my child. They said, to talk about everything around my child. Tell him things that seem so mundane to us but new to him. For instance as an example, Telling a child about grass on a walk. "Can you see that grass? it is green and long stemmed. Look at that persons lawn, their lawn is still brown and probably hasnt been watered much. Grass needs water. etc." You can even go on from there. Another idea that was suggested is to take random action pictures with your camera, get them developed, buy a small durable photo album from the dollar store. Than add simple words that describe each picture on small slips of paper. Then put the photos in the small photo book and you have your own home made picture book. With these ideas, my son has even began telling me some colors of objects. He says simple words that describe what he wants, where he wasnt saying much a few months ago. I hope these ideas help.

If you live in Utah County, you can contact Kids on the Move (KOTM). KOTM provides service up to 3 years, then transfers the child to the school district. My son was 2 1/2 years old when I contacted KOTM. We had a lady come once a month to play with him and give me idea on how to help him learn. When he turned 3, he was evaluated and was qualified for Special Ed Preschool for language delay. He will start school in couple weeks.

My husband and I had a very similar experience with our second child, a son. He said almost nothing for the first two and a half years of his life. Our family and friends continually urged us to have him tested for one thing or the other, but we were listening to ourselves. We were the ones living with our son and new him better than anyone else could possibly know him. We knew how smart he was and felt that he would eventually start to talk to us. We never treated him as if there were something wrong with him. Children can feed off of those emotions, even at this young age, and develop issues from the implanted idea. Well, our patients and parental intuition paid off. At about two and a half he started talking in sentences. He was just waiting until he had it right before he started talking. As we have watched him grow we have noticed that his personality is one of quiet determination. He prefers to quietly work on ideas and learning and when he feels he has mastered something he then shares it with us. He is now seven years old and you can't stop him from talking, but the quiet determination is still there. It is part of who he is, what he came with when he was born. Be easy in your mind and follow your intuition with him. You know him better than any professional could. Give him time to show you what he is capable of. After all, he as had less that two years of life, and that is a very small amount of time.

I don't think you should worry too much, some kids just start at their own time. However, I understand your concern. Kids on the move is a great place that works with kids with delays. I don't think they start until they are two though - you may want to call to check or go ahead and get started on the process. My son wasn't saying much and I started him in the program - it was great and they gave us a lot of ideas to help - I wish I could remember them all. My son just turned 4 and is still hard to understand. We take him to speech class and that seems to be helping as well. A lot of the things were just finding things they like and repeating a word over and over. Hope this gives you some help.

Hi. My 18 month old girl was in that same boat exactly. She knew a few words and animal sounds. I knew she understood me, because I could say things like "Go get your shoes in your room and bring them to Mama," and she would. Now at 21 months, her language has literally exploded. She is using two word combinations, her vocabulary has gone from 6-8 words and sounds to 30-50 words and sounds, etc... Some kids just talk later. If you google "expressive language delay" you get some good helpful websites. The standard for a two year old to be considered normal is 25-50 words and frequent use of two word combinations. Your dr. will probably evaluate him for that at the 2 year check up and recommend a speech therapist if he or she feels it is necessary. It seemed like she just got interested in talking one day. I would definitely continue to help him learn more animal sounds, and have him repeat them. Emma and I would make animal sounds while we ran errands in the car. Now we list people that we love while we drive--just a couple months later. Don't get discouraged--just keep reading to him and talking to him and teaching him sounds and words he wants to say--he will start talking more soon!

I am a speech language pathologist and commend you for noticing that your son is a little behind - not everyone notices. I think it would be a good idea to have him evaluated by your local child find team, as there are services available if he qualifies. If he doesn't, they can give you ideas specific to your child to help with his language. You can get ahold of your local child find office by contacting your local school district. Just explain to them what you stated here. There is a great book called The Language of Toys, which gives very concrete suggestions for how to expand a child's language with a variety of toys. I hope this helps.

He sounds very normal. I have used sign language with both of my kids and that has helped their language development. Discovery toys has a video and books and cheat sheet that help with learning it (I can help you with that ###-###-####) or you can also get resources at the library.
Reading to them is wonderful way for them to learn language and asking them questions (don't expect a response but, someday he will respond) then say the answer yourself after giving him a little time. when it sounds like he says something and you know what it is but, no one else would just repeat it and say yes that it right it is .....whatever.
Hope that makes sense. It is easier for me to verbalize than to write down.
gotta run. good luck. New language is fun. Just keep praising him when he does say new words. Don't ever try to correct how he says it. Just repeat Yes that is right....he will catch on.

B.,

First off, do not worry too much. My son had very few words at one year, and still at two years wasn't talking a while lot. Saw a speech therapist twice. She said he was within the range of normal. Just went in to the pediatrician for his 3-year check up and she couldn't believe it was the same child. He talked nonstop from the moment we got there. So my advice, just keep talking to him, singing to him, reading to him and when he is ready he will amaze you. Good luck.

When my daughter was that same age I noticed she wasnt talking much either. I dont how many words, but like yours knew sounds and such. I signed my daughter up for some daycare. I needed time to do things on my own and she needed the time or socializing with other kids. She only went two days a week for just a few hours each time. Within one month her vocabulary started increasing rapidly. She grew so much just by being around other kids her age. I dont know if she would be were she is now, had she not had that exposure or socializing when she was younger. I hope this helps and good luck.

I would not get to worried. I have a 19 month old little boy who also does not talk. He is the second sibling and had ear infections/tubes. At his 18 month check up, the Ped. suggested getting a signing book and try teaching him sign language. She says that she has seen that help promote the talking. She says to always use words with the sign language, so that he will put the two together. She also said, just do the simple words, not full blown sign laguage. I went to the library and checked out a book, but have not had a chance to try it yet. Maybe try that, the library has lots of books on sign language for communicating with your baby.

I would not worry too much. I used to care for a boy (this was a while ago as he is 22 now), but he didn't talk much at all until he was about 26 months old, then he had a verbal explosion. He was not slow, he just did not desire to talk, when he did oh my gosh he went from not saying more then a few words to sentences in just a couple of months.

K.

You are probably already doing lots of this, but make lots of eye contact and talk to your baby a lot. Also, remember that Einstein didn't talk until age three, and he didn't turn out exactly slow.

I started watching a little boy who is now almost three when he was 18 mos old. He barely said like six words, as I have watched him over that period he is into full blown sentences and conversations. If your son understand you, listens to things, his hearing is probably okay. If he is just saying a few things I wouldn't worry too much.
My son was a late bloomer in talking too, had like a dozen words by the age of 18 mos and then after he turned two just is a HUGE chatter box and articulate.
My daughter on the other hand had a TON of words by the age of 18 mos and was speaking in sentences.
Every child is different.
You can encourage him to talk by asking him what he wants and getting him to say it, not just getting him things because you know what he knows what he wants. Say things outloud, like Bed, Cat, TV, Phone, Toy, Ball, Book and see if he wants to repeat you if you ask him what they are.
If you are really worried take him in to be evaluated.

Don't worry so much. Some day soon, you'll be wishing he'd shut the heck up!

My son and daughter really responded to Dora shows and Diego shows and internet games. They're very interactive. After once or twice of hearing me and their older sister respond to the tv, they started answering the questions out loud, too. My son picked up lots of words from the shows--not just the ones he was supposed to answer out loud.

It's not unusual for a 2 yr old boy to not talk much. By the time he's 3, he'll be talking like crazy. Don't worry about it. As long as you're not giving him the silent treatment, he's picking up words and storing them in his head.

I would make him say the word when he is requesting something. If he wants a drink, make him say drink before you give it to him. He won't like that much, but if you don't give in he will start saying the words.

my niece doesn't talk much either, and she will be two next month. It's obvious shes smart. It may just be a personality thing... you think reading a litte outloud or something might help... maybe asking him questions about pictures and sounds. or else you could start talking to him in question mode, making him have to engage verbally?? i'm not there yet so I'm not so sure, My daughter says quite a bit but you don't understand a word!

We just had our son evaluated, and sounds and such do count as words at this age. I don't remember the landmark for age two, but it is 450 words for age 2 1/2. That's our goal as we won't make the 2 year goal. Sorry I don't remember the 2 year mark. It was something like 200 words. You're still a ways from there. If you have concerns, you can always check with the public schools to get him evaluated. We have Child Find and Early Childhood Connections where we are. I think Child Find is pretty much nation wide. I found them just by Googling. Everyone was incredibly helpful with getting me the right numbers and connections. If your son needs therapy, and you called today, therapy will have started by around the end of May, so you'd have a good chance at huge progress before his second birthday. I'm amazed. We haven't actually started therapy yet, but every time he's been seen, our son has picked up at least one new word. (This from a kids that has about 20.) Anyway, I know I rambled a lot. I hope this helps.

I have a 4 1/2 year old. By age 4 he still was not talking (but who would with 2 big sisters). So it was suggested to me that I start saying everything we saw. We would go to the store and work on our fruits and veggies. As I would pass by each item I would name them. As we went a long, I would eventually ask him to repeat the word back to me. When I was comfortable about knowing he could at least try to repeat the word, then I would switch it to everything. If he wanted something, I would make him ask me in a complete sentence, even if I was saying I word and having him repeat until the sentence is complete. I also signed him up for preschool 3 days a week. He is now speaking so clear that you would have no idea that he was in speech therapy for a year (with no success). He now speaks clearer than the neighbor little boy that is the same age and has been speaking for a few years now. And my little guy is complete sentences were some of his friends are not. At one point, he was on the phone with my sister and after wards when she and I were talking, my sister was amazed at how well she could understand him.

I also have him find things at the grocery store. When he hands me the item I have him repeat the name of it. This helps with recognizing his letters also.

So hang in there, talk to him about everything you see, whether in a book you read, the signs you pass in the car or the food cans in the grocery store. Have him repeat everything possible. But do not let him get frustrated, I found that to back fire everything!!!