My 2 1/2 year old refuses to speak English! She doesn't have any medical or speech problems that the Doctor's can detect. I have tried not giving her what she wants when I know what it is and I have lasted up to 2 hours. She is the baby of the family and spends a lot of time being babied by grandma when I work, but I have to get better communication established with her. Cave people grunts are not working for me at all!! Please Help!!
Terra

alkalineangel

read to her and read to her often. she may not speak right away, but believe me she is retaining those words. she'll be able to say what she wants if it comes down to it. I suggest saying "mommy doesnt understand those noises, use your words" also my son LOVES flash cards. make some common ones like fruits, animals, etc. and put a picture on it. say the word as you show the pic. You can buy these at most stores.

GoldieMae

This is a very common concern of parents. My sister didn't talk until she was four. Then she just started talking like a normal four year old one day. She never stopped, unfortunately.

I know it can be frustrating, but if your little one understands everything you say, then I wouldn't worry about it. If there is no speech problem, as indicated by your doctor, then you will wake up one day and your child will be talking.

I second the reading advice. Reading to children is the best thing you can do to encourage speech. Interactive reading (i.e., asking your child to describe the pictures) will go a long way in encouraging a reluctant child to speak.

Good luck.

Mom_of_4

My son said only 3 words (baba, mama & birdie!) until he was around 2-and-a-half. Then one day, out of the blue..."Mama....MAMA!...I want to go for a ride in the car...come on let's go! Clear as a bell....so try not to worry....your little one is taking it all in and saving it up for one day when you least expect it.

However, you may want to consider a both a hearing exam AND speech therapy evaluation if she doesn't start verbalizing in the next 3-6 months.

proudmommyoftwingirls

Hi i have twins born 3 months early who are now two years old and talk in 3 and 4 word sentence I have found that using baby signs has helped him to talk and using pictures and not letting people talk baby talk my girls loved the baby signs and when they use the signs they talk so much clearer I would try the signs it really helped us.
Good luck

tawnynkids

Teaching a child baby sign language has been know to encourage children to become verbal believe it or not. Here is a great web site where you can learn the basics and teach her: http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslpro/aslpro.cgi Mine didn't like to talk either (baby of 5), she would only say a few words but it did in fact help her to verbalize her words. Just make sure when you are showing her or signing to her that you say the word aloud at the same time. See if it helps at all, maybe at the least she may pick up some signs and then you can communicate better with her. Remember kids learn at their own pace as well. Many don't talk until 4 and 5 even! What ever you do, don't pressure her, pressure will only delay her advancement. You've checked her physically and she is fine so let her go at her own pace and of course encourage her to verbalize. I wouldn't withhold something though for more than just a few minutes during her refusal to attempt to verbalize, that will only cause the pressure. Good luck!

WhosYourDaddy

I am concerned about mine also. He is 21 months old and babbles and can only say the basics like "up", "stop", "star". When it seems he has a word covered he seems to forget it and doesn't recall it weeks later.

It certainly doesn't help when people's kids around you, of the same age, can speak fluent sentences.

When is a good time to seek medical advice.

Hodgiesgirl

That is soo crazy; I thought I was the only one who had a 2 1/2 year old that just mumbles. He says a few words clearly like mom, dad, bye...just simple lil words, but only a few. When he wants something I will tell him what it is and kinda wait for a response or for him to copy what i say but all he says to me is "ya". I even have people come over to help him from ESU. He just wants to ignore everything til he gets what he wants. When he tries to explain something he just makes weird sounds and mumbles and grunts. I wish I knew how to work with him. So anyways I can completely see where you come from and I totally agree.

brownraven

Thank you! I almost cried when I read your answers. I am not alone. My son is 27 months and he says maybe about 20 words.......he cries to get what he wants or babbles. He is very determined he tries to make his older siblings do what he wants without talking, but i am working with him.

bratts1988

ok first thing has hard as it may be do not baby talk to her. when you talk to her repeat your self again so she catches on, read to her, play toddler songs, or sit down for a few minutes a day and go over words with her that she might know and have her say and repeat them after you.i swar it works my daughter was talking at 1YEAR no one could even believe it!! one other thing if she is shy it normal that she is taking a little longer. dont worry she will catch on...good luck