21 Month Old Isn't Talking Much Yet.

to me it sounds like she talks just fine. i have a 20 month old who talks at a 2yr level. but i talk to her a lot and read a lot to her (like you do). i have heard that sign language can slow the vocab skills because they get used to signing and not talking. give her time and tall her things like dog can you say dog. thats what i do with my daughter. she says some 2 and 3 word sentences already like i did it and i went potty!. but she also still says a lot of single words and gibberish. give your daughter time. i know from what my mom says i was a stubborn talker at 2-3yrs i refused to talk till i could say a whole sentence where my older sister never shut up lol... we are both great with words today. so i wouldnt stress and just bring it up at your daughters 2 year appt. good luck!

I am a former preschool teacher with 3 children of my own. My 10 yr old was 18 months old when he was speaking fluently. My step son was lil over 3 I believe that was his mothers fault on so many levels. My daughter is 2 and was speaking 3 words at a time at 9 months and "hi" at 2 months have that on video cuz no one belived me. Doctors were shocked cuz that's young and two she was a premi who almost didn't make it. As great as people think early talking and good vocab is she is sooooooo demanding omg!! They are all different and do things at their own pace. She will get it and you will wish for quiet again,lOL. Continue to read, do signs that's great and have your child try to say what she want's before you give it to her. Say the words and ask her to say it after. NO worries she is very normal!!

Hi A., there's things you can do to get her talking, reading to her is good so continue to do that, when she points and makes sounds tell to use her words, becasue what happens if pointing and making sounds get them what they want/need, there's no reason to even ty and talk, becasue all the needs are met I had a 2 year old little boy in my daycare that didn't talk, except for the word no, mommy dada, I have a different 2 year old boy now in my care who points and makes noises, but his family gives him what he wants when he does that, I tell him use your words, and if he at least tries then I give him what he wants with in reason. J. L.

I am a Speech Language Pathologist and think you should call your local Regional Center for an evaluation. Here is some contact info: Mary Lynn Clark, Director
674 Brier Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6127
San Bernardino, CA 92412-6127
Telephone: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####
Web site: www.inlandrc.org

Here are some norms for kids this age:
16-23 months:
use at least 25 words by 21 months
learn a few new words each week
make more than 5 different consonant sounds ( m,n,b,d & g)
use the word "no"
identify several body parts when named
identify several objects when named
takes turns when playing with partner
use toys for pretend play
putting 2 words together, (ie. more juice)
combines nouns & verbs

If you are noticing that she is not meeting these milestones, which it sounds like she's not, call REgional Center for a FREE evaluation. It doesn't hurt to look into it. If there is a problem, early intervention is KEY! The early you get help the better chance she has.

** i wanted to add a response because another poster said that signing can slow down oral vocabulary. That is NOT true. Signing in typcial children will enhance their vocabulary. Your gut instinct was concern and I think you should act on that. Regional Center is free so you have nothing to lose. You can only gain help for your daughter if she is delayed. Birth-3 is the Critical Aquisition Period and extremely important.

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This question is asked from time to time on Mamasource.

If anything, you can have your daughter assessed. Here where I live, thru the Easter Seals organization, they have a "Zero to Three" program whereby they offer FREE services for any developmental concerns, for any child up until 3 years old.

Each state seems to have a "regional center" from which these services are offered. Ask your Pediatrician, and they should know EXACTLY where to go and who to call. For these services, at least in my State... they even come to your home for it. So it is REALLY great and convenient.

My son, receives Speech Therapy through this program here in my State. It's free. My son is just a late talker... he is 27 months old, and he was assessed, and their is NOTHING wrong with him clinically or with his development. My son is also "advanced" in many areas, but he just does not want to talk...but plus he is bi-lingual... so he uses both languages. But I have the speech therapy for him because is it free and it is helpful.

Speech ability has nothing to do with "intelligence." My son, has enormous understanding of whatever we say or ask of him, in BOTH languages. He was this way from even before he was 1 years old. BUT, he is just delayed in speech. Its not big deal. Einstein didn't even talk until he was 3 years old. And many other historical "geniuses" were this way as well.

BUT, it is good to have the child assessed... just to get a "picture" of how you can help them, and to ease your worry.

DO NOT feel pressure from your family. DO NOT get self conscious... but early intervention and getting an assessment is useful... my son was assessed at 19 months old. He has, on his own and from my "learning" techniques from the Speech Therapist... become much more talkative.

You will also be having another baby soon... and this means your daughter will have more to adjust too. I hope she is "ready" for all that it will change in her life. A child this young... NEEDS help in the transition. PLUS, she is almost 2 years old... and this "age-stage" is full of growing-pains and changes for the child... just be ready for that. :) She will have a lot on her plate to contend with...plus her Mommy will be busier with baby. *And I say this with much empathy... but DO NOT PRESSURE your eldest daughter to "be" a certain way or to "be" perfect, or to have high expectations put upon her once the baby comes... this will often backfire and just cause stress & regression in a child. Let her be... let her be a child. This is more for your family to be aware of...since they seem to pressure about just her speaking ability.

Anyway, sorry for rambling and getting off subject.
Don't worry... but early intervention is good and helpful, even if there is nothing wrong... which is probably the case.
Some kids just won't talk until they are ready... but, you want to make sure their mouth/muscle/tongue coordination is fine too... which is why some kids don't "talk." AND.... at this young an age... THEY DO NOT HAVE TO SPEAK PERFECTLY. It DOES NOT matter if she does not say words "clearly" or correctly... she is only 21 months old. This is per our Speech Therapist... so tell THAT to your family. This is NORMAL.

All the best,
Susan