Hi
I am having 20 months old son. He is not talking but he can able to understand what we are talking. He is answering our questions by some actions and various sounds.I don't know how to train him to talk.Give me some ideas.

Meenasuresh.

Talk to him. I have several grandchildren who didn't speak until age 4. We and their parents were worried since they didn't speak much even at age 2.5 or 3. Between ages 3 and 4, they exploded!

It may be slightly disturbing for an age 20 months child not to talk, but it's not all that unusual. I remember meeting a two-year-old neighbor girl who talked up a blue streak, but another two-year-old neighbor boy didn't talk at all.

I have one slightly autistic grandson who's approaching 5. He's in intensive speech therapy and is doing fairly well.

Continue talking to him and he will probably grow out of it. If he is still slow of speech by age 4, put him in speech therapy.

Wait!

Children normally begin talking at AROUND 24 months. But not exactly. You are impatient with your child. Slow down. By the time he's four you will wish he would stop talking for one second.

And, yes, continue to talk to him conversationally. You are right that he already understands a LOT of what you are saying, both the specific words and your intonation and intentions. Your gestures also count.

Just be loving, spend time with him, read little picture books to him, play music, dance. The language will come naturally.

Rwinteron has a good point too.

Girls tend to talk earlier than boys.

I have sometimes wondered if parents talk to boys less than they do to girls.

I have two sons. They both began talking in sentences at 24 months.

Like "Cookie, please, mama?"
"Go out now?"

That kind of thing. It was hard to understand at first, but parents are generally motivated to understand!

I would simply encourage him to speak.If he wants a drink,tell him to *say drink*.
Don't reprimand him if he does not say it clearly.Repeat *say drink* and I will give you a drink.

Look at picture books and point out objects while saying the word.Encourage him to repeat the word.Ask him *what is this*? Be sure to give plenty of encouragement and positive reinforcement for his efforts.

Engage him in conversation at every opportunity.Ask him frequently*whats this*?

If you remain concerned,it might be advisable to have his hearing tested.

Artlady, In this case I strongly disagree about one thing you said.

OP indicates the baby understands them and responds. That's normal for 20 months. Not really talking much is also normal. He should not be talking for four more months.

I would not recommend pressuring him to speak. Pressure could backfire. He will talk when he is ready. Just love him. If he's 26 or 27 months and nothing, then I would get concerned.