First Words? - Inver Grove Heights,MN

My daughter will be 1 on the 18th and she has the same problem. She can wave when we say hello or good-bye. She says mama, dada, and baba, but doesn't know the difference. I'm not all that worried about it. Babies develop when they are going to. My daughter developed physically faster. She has slept through the night since she was 2 months, she crawled at 5, and walked at 9. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

I wouldn't be concerned at all My daughter didn't say anything except what's that witch was more like a jumbel of words than anything untill she was two.

Is he your first child? I have 4 children, and my oldest was definitely the latest to really get a grip on language. I am a pediatrician too, and my biggest tip is to continue to really talk to him (tell him really clearly what you are doing or giving him, etc.) and really read to him. It truly will come. Do NOT worry, unless he is showing other signs of delay, and don't make him feel bad either. Go nuts celebrating when he does say a word, repeat it, use it, make him feel great about it! He WILL get there... I Promise. L. P.S. He truly sounds very age appropriate!

My son will be one this month also. He doesn't really say any words either. There are times when I think he might be saying Hi or more, but I'm not really sure about it. He only says mama and dada every once in a while, but like your son, he mostly babbles. He also understands words and can pick out certain toys and stuff like that if we ask him. I just try to talk to him all the time and hopefully he will start talking soon.

Hi M.,
I am speech language pathologist and work doing home therapy for kids birth to three. At one, most kids are not talking much, so that is very normal.
If you want to try to stimulate language, I always try to set up language attempts, like putting some favorite toys out of reach but in sight and when you see they want them, model what you want them to say like airplane and give them a second to see if they will repeat or make any communication attempt which is then highly praised! Also, at meal times just give them a little food and keep the rest on the table in sight and when they want more model the words for them or teach them some sign language like more, eat, drink, ect. Talk to them a lot, verbalize your day. Always helpful to keep your utterances short and to the point if it seems the long verbalizations of the day are overwhemlming.

If the child is becoming frusterated and you are seeing more behavior because they can't use their words, you may want to ask your pediatrician what he or she thinks.

I have known more than one person with a child who didn't talk for quite a while...even later than yours. (They were usually boys too.) I'm not sure if they did anything except to keep speaking to him in correct English. After awhile the child was speaking more clearly (and MUCH more frequently) than his siblings! So, don't lose heart. I'm sure he'll be fine.

Kids develop at different rates, but if you are concerned, talk to your pediatrician at your one year appointment.

My son had several words at 1 year, and would tell me the noises for several animals (cows, sheep, dog, etc.). Does he point to items in a book if you ask him (where is the cow? where is the truck? etc.). My son could do that at about 10 months, but he may have been a little ahead on the language development... he didn't walk till 14 months though :)

I also recommend your local school district for ECFE classes or developmental assessment. My nephew will be one this week, and doesn't talk at all, I have been encouraging my sister in law and brother to have him tested at their local school district.

Good luck!
J.
SAHM to 2 year old Charlie and 4 month old Joey

No, your son is not delayed-but I understand the concern of a 1st-time parent! I do developmental assessments for kids and MANY don't do much but babble at one. My son, who is your age, says "mama" (sometimes), and "more," (I think). My daughter, on the other hand, spoke in complete sentences at 15 months! He is busy moving, she was busy talking-and just sat on her butt all the time. They're both totally normal, and I'm sure your son is too. Receptive language (understanding) is more important than expressive language at this point, and your son has that. Once he starts talking, you'll be surprised at how quickly the words pile up.

My youngest started talking 2 word phrases by 10 months, my oldest didnt' talk AT ALL until he was well over 2.

All kids are different, as long as he is babbling, listens and understands you when you talk, and repeats (mamammama) then he's right on track.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. My daughter didn't say much either. She didn't start putting two words together until 1.5 yrs. old and a bit later. She started putting 3 words together at 2 yrs. old and now she'll make almost short complete sentences at 2.5 yrs. old.

Read a lot of books and talk to your child a lot. I think that will help. I'm sure your child understands what you say. Mine knew what we were saying but she just couldn't say things herself. She knew sign language and would sign things to us instead of speaking. If you're still concerned speak to your doctor about it and/or contact your school district. I know in IGH they have a birth-3 program where they test your kid for delays. That is located by contacting Family Connections. They could route you to the correct person. If you're not in Dakota County maybe they'd know someone.

I have a 15 month old son and he said his first meaningful word right after his first birthday. He said "ba" as he was playing with some balls he got for Christmas. Since then his only other word is "mine." I don't think our kids are delayed or anything. Every kid is different. I've heard boys talk later than girls too, but I don't know if that's true. A friend told me her 17-month-old daughter didn't talk much until one week she exploded with about 10 words. I think if they don't use expressive language by age three they may need speech therapy.

Dada and mama ARE words! :) If he is babbling consonants like you said he is then I don't think you have much to worry about although there is a simple hearing test you can get done at his one yr well child. Encouraging him to talk his easy, repeat after him when he babbles, exaggerate what he says. Side talking is also good...when you go about your day with him just say everything you are doing..."now I am washing your mouth and your hands"..."I am washing the dishes and sweeping the floor...look at the bord outside the window,etc etc."
Just to make you feel a little better about when your kid starts talking...When my oldest was 2 he said maybe half a dozen words, I was totally worried and talked about it constantly to my friends who of course said "DOn't worry, he'll talk when he is ready" and sure enough at about 3 he started talking and we couldn't get him to shut up! :) He is now almost 8 and in the gifted program at his school. Try so hard not to worry about what your friends kids are doing and just enjoy the babbling while you can, pretty soon he will be making complete sense and you'll miss the babbling days.
It sounds from what you said, he seems to understand and hear alot of what you say so I personally would not be worried about a hearing problem, with that being said, you are his mother and you have the instinct into whether something is really wrong above what anyone else says so if you're gut says something is wrong run with it.
It sounds, though, that he is where he should be, maybe a few less words than other kids his age but all kids are different and whether they know a whole slough of words by age one or only a couple (like dada and mama) has no bearing on how intelligent he will be in a few years. Just relax...
K. H

Hi M.:

I have four children and have found that each one is different. But, reading and singing are the two best ways that I've found my children pick up language - singing especially. You might want to check out The SMARTseeds Company stuff (yes, it's a shameless plug, but it really would be great for what you need). We combine music with stories and put into a neat little package. We actually started doing this b/c we found the music was so helpful with our own children and wanted to buy a product like ours, but it didn't exist - so we created our own. It's really good stuff. You can contact me if you'd like and I'd be happy to chat.

-M.
--
http://www.theSmartSeedsCompany.com

The SMARTseeds Company is dedicated to providing parents with meaningful ways to interact with their children through literature, music, art, poetry, toys and games.

Hi M.,

There was a show about Autism on Oprah yesterday and they suggested some markers to look for. I don't remember them all, but they mentioned single words should start by 15 months, not 12 months. At 12 months, babbling is good and also you should notice your son pointing to things WHILE trying to engage you and/or get your atttention. I am unfamiliar with other kinds of things to track, but the families on the show HIGHLY encouraged parents to trust their instincts about this kind of thing and that pediatricians DON'T always know the markers to watch. If you feel you are being pacified about a possible delay in any developmental stage, pursue it as best you can, since VERY early intervention can make a HUGE difference for your child's development. Often, school districts have staff to assist in assessing this kind of thing. For example, Madison has the "Birth to Three" program. You may have nothing to worrry about, but if you do later on, taking action sooner than later is a great idea. Good luck!

R.

My daughter was over a year old when she first began talking, when I would ask people they would say tt just keep talking to them like they were bigger kids. I would always point things out to her and say it once or twice to make sure that she heard me. Eventually she became a very good talker.

I wouldn't be worried. I have three kids, and none of them talked before age 1 - and now my 5 year old is consistently getting extremely high marks for vocabulary and speech in his preschool. My 14-month-old daughter isn't saying any words yet.

If you're frustrated in trying to communicate with your son, you could try teaching him a little sign language. Just pick three signs or so (you can make them up, or look online for examples - try ASL - american sign language) and use them when appropriate (most folks start with eat, drink, and more). Once he starts using them back, add a few more (like help, cracker, milk, etc.)

The best way to encourage more talking is to talk to them. A one-sided running commentary about the day, in a regular speaking tone. The grocery is especially good for this ("let's see...we need some bread...I think that's in the next aisle, don't you? Yep, here we go - aisle 5. There's the bread. We're going to get wheat bread today - see? Let's put that in the cart. OK, what do we need next..." etc.)

If you're really concerned, check with your pediatrician. You can probably even call and speak to (or leave a message for) the nurse and she can tell you some warning signs to check for delays. They're good ones to talk to, because they see lots of kids every day and it gives them perspective on "normal" that a parent doesn't usually get.

M., don't worry. My daughter only said a few words - mamma, dadda, nanna, dat - by the time she was one. At 18 months she knew over 200 words and NEVER stopped talking. Now -at three - she carries on a full adult conversation with anyone who is prepared to listen. Read to your son as much as you can and encourage his babbling. Have you ever thought of teaching him American Sign Language? That will help with frustration if he starts talking a little later than is usual. But for a one year old, he is fine! B..

Is he really busy w/ his hands---motor skills? My son is 2 and only now starting to say more words. I asked my pediatrician at his 2 year appt and she asked if he was very busy. Kids who concentrate on motor skills are less likely to talk early because they are too busy with their hands. My husband worries about our son because our neighbor has a girl 6 months younger and she talks non-stop! I told him for one thing girls tend to talk earlier than boys and her mom says she isn't as good w/ her motor skills (doesn't throw a ball etc...). Relax, as long as he understands what you are saying and there isn't a hearing problem he will talk when he's ready.

It sounds to me like he's right on track for his age!

You really can't expect more than that at that age. Kids don't really have much to say until they are 2 years old or so and even then Mom and Dad are the only ones that can understand them.
You should purchase a book or two about kids so you'll have a good idea of what to expect and what to work on. Dr. Sears books are good. As long as he's sitting up, crawling, making sounds and responds to his name you are good to go for now.
J.

He's perfectly normal and fine! Alot of babies only babble and don't really say words til around 18mos. then they should be communicating with some words by age 2. Some do it sooner some later.

I was always told they work on one thing at time. If they're learning how to eat they put everything else on the backburner. If they're learning how to walk or climb that's all they are concentrated with, then they move on work on interacting socially or words. They kinda go back and forth with what they're working on.

I have also some boys talk later than girls.

I used sign language with my daughter which helped get the wheels rolling in her head and she was able to let me know her needs and wants early on which I believed then helped her talk earlier and better. It helped alot with temper tantrums and not knowing what she needed.

Your baby is absloutely normal. Don't rush him. Some babies don't talk until after 18 months! Besides, he is talking.....he says dada, mama, baba, and nana! Those are words! :o)

G. Guertin, mother of four, grandmother of 7!