2 Year Old Daughter Not Talking Very Well

I wouldn't worry about it yet. My daughter did exactly the same thing. She's now 3 1/2 and her counselor complimented her the other day on how well she communicates what she wants. She might just start talking all at once. That's pretty much what happened with my daughter.

Some kids just don't talk very well to begin with and since you have an older daughter it is easy to compare her skills with those of the younger child. But since the younger daughter can understand directions and follow them - chances are she understands vocabulary very well - more than you think. Understanding actually shows a more deep and relevant response to vocabulary than speaking - being able to comprehend what others are saying is definately better than her speaking and not understanding what is going on. I say all of that to say this: I too had the same problem with my now four year old - we don't qualify for a lot of programs because both my husband and I work so I just bit my lip and took him in to a speech therapist (you better believe that bill hurt) at any rate he did absolutely fine with naming the things that she showed him - she encouraged us to use those little flashcards with him and told us to make sure that when we read to him he can either add his own ideas of what is going on in the story through the illustrations or tell us back a similar story. As parents we worry a lot but usually with time she will start to talk more - if it is something that concerns you badly enough it may need to be an opportunity for you to just bite the bullet and take her to a speech therapist yourself - but I would give her a litttle more time. Also when she points to things and you play the "guessing game" when you figure out what it is she wants make her say the correct name for it. That way she isnt' as frustrated due to the fact that she knows that she is goign to get what she wants and you get the satisfaction of her knowing the word for it. Also Labeling helps with identifying and reading comprehension. I had labels on everything and at this point I sometimes wonder if he will ever STOP talking.

Dont worry yourself just yet, my sons speech improved greatly between 2 and 3. He's now almost 4 and can say anything.

She sounds very similar to my son who is now 2yrs 9months. At his 18 month check-up he only said Mama and very little more at two years. However he was very smart and understood most everything. He did qualify with Babies Can't Wait but my husband and I believe it only helped a little. He is now talking quite well. I believe he just wasn't ready. Around 2 1/2 he started trying to communicate verbally and has done quite well since. I have three children and he was the slowest talker of them all. I belive some children just process info differently and he was too busy thinking about things to verbalize them maybe your daughter is doing the same. I really wouldn't worry for another 6-9 months.

If she says the few words even somewhat clearly, I wouldn't worry too much. Especially if she seems to be up to date with her other milestones. I have a niece who only said about the same words as your daughter and she didn't start talking until a few months after her third birhtday. Now she is six and in the first grade. She reads, is very smart and well rounded for her age. I noticed that you said something about speech therapy. I tried to get therapy for my nephew who lived with me for 3 years. He was four at the time and not speaking well enough to understand. I tried through the school system and had no luck. They told me he was fine, but he clearly still needs help. He is six now and I still can't understand him most of the time. It's really sad that some children can't get the help that they need. I'm sure you daughter will be talking soon. If she pulls your hand and you get her what she wants, that may also be why she won't speak. Remember all children are different. I am 31 and a mother of 3. 13 year old boy, 4 year old girl, and 16 month boy. Not one of them are alike. J.

Hi A.!
Since you have access to the internet, look up speech development and a bunch of websites come up that have to do with stages of speech development at different ages. There are too many to copy for me to copy.
Good Luck!

I have 4 kids.My 2nd child(boy)was the same way.I had my 3rd child when he was only 13 mths.He startd saying some words before i had the baby.But once she got here,he quite talking.I had asked his doc.if there could be something wrong and she told me it was only because he wanted to be the baby.He started school(headstart)when he turned four.Right before then,i had him tested(speech and hearing tests)because he wasnt saying things like he should.Nothing was wrong.Hes been in headstart almost 5 mths and is learning to talk so good.So it could be that she just needs a little help on sounding things out.Or i ahve also heard people say that happens when a child has ear problems.I know from my experience which was the same as your,eventually she will learn what she needs to.Just keep practicing.But if it makes u feel better,go get her tested to see if there could be some kind of speech delay.It made me feel better.

goode morning A.... unfortunately, not all children will advance as quickly as others and nor will they advance in all areas of "toddlerhood" once they do begin learning... i have a 2 year old granddaughter and though she's very intelligent and articulate, not everyone can understand what she says because she doesn't pronounce her words correctly... and she's very advanced with her vocabulary and comprehension... but i just continue to take my time with her... patience is the key with toddlers... once they become "frustrated" when trying to communicate, some children will begin to back away from wanting to learn new things... my granddaughter is around my 4 older children, ages 13-17... so she has a real problem with being willing to share her toys when children her age come over... she's never attended a day of daycare though... so give your little one time, before you know it, she'll be chatting up a storm and not give you a break form all that she knows... keep in mind that children are a blessing and the rate that they learn on makes them all the more loveable... my grandaughter speaks on a 1st grade level, but i don't force anything on her, i let her learn and explore new things as she chooses... maybe it would be helpful if you took her around some older children who enjoy little ones, they may be better able to communicate with her and get her to open up... otherwise, just let her take her time, if you continue to feel there's a major concern, speak with your pediatricain about sending her to a specialist... it's better to help her than to sit back and do nothing... if the specialist does find that there is something else going on, don't feel bad and beat yourself up about it... be blessed that you're able to recognize that there may be something going on... best of luck, remain blessed and the best mom God intended for you to be!!! ~Sunshyne

If your daughter is only two, I wouldn't even worry about it. My two older kids didn't really start to talk until they were three, and now they never shut up! I would just keep trying to make her say what she wants when she points to things, maybe just keep repeating them for her, but she will probably be fine.

Dont worry, my son will be 2 in January and he doesnt talk very well either. He pulls my hand to were he wants to go and to what he wants. He too is advanced well in all other areas but speech. I chalk it up to necessity. He is with me all day and like you we read and I try to get him to use words, to no avail. A friend of mine suggested I take him to mommy and me classes or our local churches mother's day out programs. Reason being that children learn faster from other children. I havent tried it yet but it is food for thought. Hope this puts your worries at ease a little knowing you and your child arent alone in your talking struggles.