My son is 21 months and saying about 35-40 words. How many does he need to say? He says words like Georgia Tech and only responds to no by shaking his head and finger back and forth for no no.
That's good! He sounds like he is right on track. It sounds like he has some non-verbal communication skills and is interacting with you also, so I really wouldn't worry about whether or not he is saying "x" number of words at this point. Watch how many more words he'll be picking up within the next month. You will truly be amazed.
I remember when my son was about 21 months and the babysitter's daughter was 24 months, I questioned how my son was developing because the girl seems so advanced. I was told by the mother that her vocabulary took off in the last 2 months. Sure enough, by the time he turned two I couldn't figure out when he picked up so many words, he had to be to at least 150.
My pediatrician asked me if he was using over 50 words at his annual check up and she wasn't concerned with any "statistics" or books that contain things like they should say 200+ words by 24 months.
I've heard that a 2 year old should be able to respond in 2 word sentences. I would definitely talk to his pediatrician about it if you are concerned but I do think what you described is normal. I would make him answer you with his words every time he needs to respond. For example, if you ask him, "What do you want to drink?" After proceeding to give him options and when he finally shakes his head YES for something, before giving it to him, make him repeat after you, "I want juice please." Say one word and have him repeat it until he has said the entire sentence. I think this will probably take lots of patience and practice but it will help his vocab and also let him know he needs to respond verbally to questions. Hope this helps!
Sounds pretty normal to me too. My nephew is a little slow in language development, and yours sounds better than he was at that age, and he wasn't a super severe case. You really don't need to worry about it yet, but at his 2 year appointment, they will ask you about how many words he has. It would be a good idea to write down all the words you hear him say over the next 3 months until that appt time. You might be surprised to realize that he has more than you think, and having a list will give the doctor something concrete to go off of when you talk to him. Keep a piece of paper taped up on the fridge or something, and just start writing them down. It will make you feel productive about it too. But don't stress, he's got plenty of time!
Totally normal! Actually I think he is quite advanced. My son is in early intervention and the baseline they use is 50 words at 2 years old.
Sounds pretty normal to me. I have to say even though I don't usually fall for the "Well boys will be boys logic" but I do know from my previous career in working with kids that boys are a little bit slower in language development than girls. However, your son sounds like he is right on track. I would just recommend that you continue to encourage him to use his words with lots of positive reinforcement and talk talk talk talk talk to him about everything. I know sometimes it doesn't feel like anything is going in but it is.
I have a 26 months old son who says less than 10 words. So, it could be a lot worse!
I think he sounds great! I have no professional experience, just a 19 month old little man :) I wish mine would not say "no-no", he just picked it up..lol. My son will not say "more", he just does the sign for it. And there are several words, like robot, he won't say, but he goes "beep-beep" and moves his little hands like a robot might do. Another one would be "truck"...sometimes he will say it, but other times when it is time to leave, he will say "bye-bye, vroom-vroom". Per my mother, the teacher, I have my son look at my mouth when we come across a new word that I can tell he is trying to repeat, and it helps! Per her advice as well, is to teach him the sounds each letter makes; I have the Leap Frog Alphabet Pal. Good luck :)
Don't worry most kids don't "take off" talking until the reach the age of two. Just make sure you aren't finishing words for him. I have two boys, 3 1/2 and 10 months, the way we have worked with them is to show them an object and then say it 2 or 3 times. It really does help, my 10 month old says 8-10 words and knows what they mean.
He still has a little time before his is two, and if he is not putting two words togther into a simple sentence that has meaning by then, your pediatrician will probably refer him for a speech and langague evaluation. 35-40 works is right on track, but you should see the simple sentences kick in soon, things like "me too" or "I eat" or "want more."
M.
Your son's doing great! My son only started talking at 28 mos, yet my daughter was karaoke-ing at 18 mos -- myself being an only child, comparing my 2 children, I thought he was stunted or deaf:)
He's close to turning 3 now, and he's ramped up from just starting to around 100 or more words. I try to remind myself that my son can hear and understand 10x more than he can say, so perhaps this will help you too.
Your son's come a long way, baby!
