Age Your Sons Started Talking

Updated on January 12, 2010
J.R. asks from Geneva, IL
21 answers

If you have a little boy or boys, how old were they when they started talking?

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P.E.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Well my boy is 21 months and doesn't say much at all. Everyone says not to worry because boys often start talking later than girls. My daughter was saying full sentences by 21 months so it seems odd to me that my son barely talks at all.

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M.M.

answers from Detroit on

My youngest started at 10 months old with the word ball, mama, and dada and after he was a little over a year old he would use three word sentences, and progressed from there. It is usually around the age of one that they say other words besides mama and dada. Starts with single words the progressing to sentences. No way a child starts saying words at 2 months.

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B.B.

answers from Detroit on

My 5 yr old was about 3 when he progressed past the one sylable stage of talking... He now is a nonstop gabber with a HUGE vocabulary...
Our current 2 1/2 yr old is still a grunt speaker... he says no, shakes his head yes, and says mom... Everything else is grunts...But he gets his message across with "body talk".

Our ped. told us that girls are more vocal where as boys are more visual... As long as they are communicating with you and following commands with more than one step... Pick that up and take it to the garbage... You know if he is comprehending what you say...

Some kids store up their words for a while but when they open the door the sentences come out fully formed...

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

I'm not sure what you mean by your question...

One thing that always bothered me (and still does) is when my family compares my son to my nephew. First off - my son was premature by six weeks. Second - every child is different and develops differently and at their own pace.

I can say if you are concerned about your son's development and if he is not making silly sounds, etc. or trying to say 'ma' or so, then talk with your pediatrician and just relax because if you have any fears... your son will pick up on it and it will only impact the situation, if there is one. But at least make sure there is nothing more causing any underlying concerns such as his hearing. If he cannot hear too clearly, he may not know how to express the sounds.

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M.L.

answers from Dallas on

My 20 month son has been babbling non stop since about 14 months..."da,da,DA, da, babab,hahhahaha". It has been pretty non-sensical until recently when he has started forming complex babbles and using identifiable words. Plus this past week he told me "dink-du" when I gave him a bowl of apple sauce- my heart is still bursting with pride at his nice little manners!
I would say 18 months were some real words, now at 20 months, he is stringing stuff together and putting real words in the babble.

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H.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I started my son in speech therapy at 2. It is a disability that is easily corrected. If u notice they r language delayed, contact school system and have them tested.

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

it ranges depending on the the child like my first talked faster than the rest. but no matter what at age 2 i know because i have a age two daughter she needed to be saying at least 80 words during the day or the pediatrician was gonna send her to speach. I have two that have done speech with one actually in school 5 times a week for a half a day doing hands on speech. So what are you asking is he not talking or is he saying things you dont understand? You being a stay at home mome for the first time and if it isomething recent you may need to give yourself time. If you have any more ? or need help your more than welcome to contact me. Also my son didn't talk till he was 3 in half. He would sit back and watch everyone do everything for im and watch how people interacted and what was expected and than the pediatrician forced me to put him in speech and he still refused to talk than one day he just started and never shut up. it was quit interesting. LOL!

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J.C.

answers from Detroit on

Hi Jennifer,
My son started talking in more than one-two words around 13 months. I talked to him all the time about whatever we were doing from the time that he was very little (i.e "first we are going to get our coats on and then we will get into the car"...or talked about the things that we saw around us, what I was doing to get dinner ready..anything) and now at 3 1/2 he has a terrific vocabulary and talks a lot. I only mention this because I mentioned that I talked to him all the time to a friend whose son was a few months younger (around the time he was 18 months) and her son wasn't talking very much until she started doing the same thing...it helps them be exposed to a variety of words, tones, inflection as well as start to learn that conversation is shared between people...hopefully this will help. :-)

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L.A.

answers from Reno on

My little guy can say a few things right now ( just ma, and hey) in response if we say it. He's 2 months old.
How old is your son? If he's 2 or more and has fewer than 50 words in his vocabulary you might want to see the doctor about a speech/language pathologist and evaluate him:)

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S.H.

answers from Detroit on

Boys or girls should be using some words by age 20 months. No, I do not have boys, I have girls, but my oldest was evaluated around 20 months by Early On and was diagnosed with delayed speech. If you have concerns, call and schedule a consult. They will evaluate and help you consider your next step. All evaluations and therapy through Early On is at no cost to you but your time. We have had great success with our daughter, who is now 4 1/2 and in the Early Childhood Development program where she continues speech therapy. 1-800-Early-On ###-###-####)

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J.K.

answers from Detroit on

My almost 15 month old has recently started to say a lot of words, probably about 30 we can recognize. He didn't have a lot of words until recently when he got his walking down. A lot of kids focus on motor skills first, then speech. If you think yours may be delayed at all it's worth an evaluation. My 4 year old started really talking a lot when he was moved into a new room at daycare with older toddlers that talked more. Sometimes more exposure to language helps.

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S.W.

answers from Lansing on

Hi Jennifer,

My son will be 10 months next week and is already talking. He can say mama, papa, what, and I think a few other things. I know he talks more because he has 5 older sisters, but your son should be saying a few words by now. Have you had his earing checked? Sometimes kids wont speak because they can't hear well. I also have a baby girl that's 28 months, and speeks in 3-4 word sentances and has been for almost a year. You can always have your baby evaluated. You can call EarlyOn, I believe the number is 1-800-EarlyOn. They will set up a call back with the earlyOn probgram in your area. I had this done with our twins because they weren't speeking much, they came out and texted them, if they are behind they will come out and work with them as well as give you ways to help him speed as well. Good luck!

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E.H.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My oldest son, who is now almost 4, didn't start talking until 23 months. When he started talking it was within 2 weeks that he was putting words together into sentences. It seemed like he spent all that extra time absorbing all those language skills so that when he decided to talk, he was ready.

My youngest son is 21 months now and he only says a few words, but it is clear that he understands almost everything we say to him. We had him tested through Early On because he kept failing the communication section of the Ages and Stages Questionaires. He tested below normal for language, but higher than he should be in receptive skills. They concluded that he is a little delayed because boys talk later than girls and because his siblings talk for him. He does communicate very well using body language, sounds, and pointing. Because of the high receptive score, he didn't test low enough for them to help him, but they gave me lots of ideas to help him on my own. Well worth the call if you are concerned about your son. Most pediatricians tell parents to wait until the child is over 2 years, and still not talking, to get any help for language. Go with your gut instinct. If it worries you, get him tested. They are wonderful people who really want to help.

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A.C.

answers from Detroit on

Our older son started at a little over a year. He was very early for speech and progressed quickly.

Our second son started at 2 1/2. He had other dev delays and we chose to see a speech therepist while he attended Early On.

All children progress at different rates.

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S.H.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My 6yo son was more interested in the physical milestones and didn't really talk until 2-2 1/2 years old (but it does not matter in the long run...he is reading at the 3rd grade level now). My 2 1/2 yo son could have cared less about the physical milestones and was talking like a mad scientist at 16 months. Every child is defferent...your son will get there.

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J.Y.

answers from Detroit on

My son is 17 months old and babbles a ton in his own language. At his 15 month check up the doctor said that he is quite normal with his speech language. My son does understand what is being said to him. He is just now starting to say a few words, hi, momma, etc. I personally believe all babies progress at different rates, but understand where you are coming from if your son is a boy of few words as is mine at this point. I do like Donna H's advice on reinforcing and having him say the word not point. My son personally does the pointing.

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L.C.

answers from Detroit on

My son started talking a week after he turned 2 years old. He also got rid of his paci the same week.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Our son was past his second birthday when he really started "Talking". He had a lot of words (but usually only liked using 1 syllable) until then.

We were really worried he was delayed and asked our pediatrician. He said he had no concerns and that a lot of kids don't get good at speech until after their second birthday.

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A.C.

answers from Detroit on

My son started around the same age as his older sister. I don't remember when he said his first word, but at 18 months he was stringing words together, like "I ont (want) Dadda". Now at 22 months he uses "I" and "me" correctly and uses words like "ahready" (as in Daddy changed his diaper already). He has a pretty large working vocabulary and is quite the parrot as well (repeats EVERY word he hears).

We read books to him often, talk to him about what we are doing, and clearly name things for him.

If you are concerned, I would bring it up with his pediatrician. It's always good to have their hearing checked if you are worried that speech is coming too slowly.

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D.H.

answers from Detroit on

Jennifer ~
My grandson was saying a couple of words at about a year or so. When he turned 2 he was saying more, but liked to just point for what he wanted. Plus he has an older brother, so sometimes that will make it easier for kids to not talk because there is someone that somehow understands them. Some people I work with have kids/grandkids the same age as my grandson and couldn't believe he wasn't talking a whol lot at 2. He spoke "Zachary" language...constant talking, but not much we could understand. I wasn't too concerned, though, because he understood directions and things that were said to him. By 2 1/2, he was talking up a storm! He will be 3 in a couple of weeks and will hold conversations with us. :)
Make sure that you don't give in when he just points for thigns...make him say it. When he does say something, reinforce it by saying it back to him. And don't stress too much, he'll get there!
D.

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A.F.

answers from Chicago on

My son is 18 months old, and is Korean. We adopted him at 10 months old and brought him home from Seoul. He was not really verbal at 10 months old...He seemed to adapt to English very quickly. He seemed to understand what we said within the first week - and really quite well for sure in that first month home and begain saying "Dat" (for That and pointing to things) and Dada. He said Mama at 12 months, and since then has gotten up to about maybe 10 words. Only in the last week has he put 2 words together - and says "Go Car"! We think because he only heard Korean for the first 10 months of life, and had to learn a whole new language, that he may be a little behind other 18 month olds...but he seems to be adapting and catching up rather well...especially for an only child. He babbles a lot and tries so hard to talk, we think it's just a matter of time before he starts really talking! He is so smart and has been evaluated as being advanced in motor skills and reasoning...so I'm pleased. I think every child is different, but I think around 2 - 2.5 they really start talking. If there are concerns, you can always call Early Intervention and get a free screening to see if they need a little help from speech therapy.

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