My wife and I have 2 sets of twins (6 yo girls, 3 yo boys).

We're having a little bit of a problem with our boys and their development.

The two of them don't speak yet (yes, I know that twins have their own languages), and it's concerning us.

What can we do to help them?

Additionally, the two of them are very rough with their sisters, mama, and grandma.

I know boys are boys, but how do I prevent them from beating up everyone else?

2x twindad,

Why not get some professional advice from a pediatrician or from a psychologist specialized in children development?

I'm sure they would have the right answers to all your questions as well as the most appropriate advice.

All the best!

Sign language is a great way to teach children to speak oddly enough. Learn some simple baby signs and teach the rest of the family. Also a little delayed gratification will help. Don't immediately do something for them or give them what they want when they point to it or grunt for it, wait a little and try to get them to attempt to say the words for it. Don't refuse what they want ultimately just don't give it to them immediately. If everyone else "speaks or does" for them they won't ever have to. Here is a link to a good, free online baby signs dictionary to help you learn by video: http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslpro/aslpro.cgi Check it out. I learned a lot of great signs for my delayed speaker (she was 2) that really helped, now I can't shut her up! :)

As far as teaching them gentleness and kindness you just have to show them. Over and over. This is how we be nice, or be gentle and act it out for them. Take their hands and show them "nice". Rub their arm softly and say "this is gentle". When they are too aggressive let them know that is a "wrong choice" and point your thumb down, not that they are bad or naughty. That way you speak to the action not the spirit of the child. It was the action that was wrong not the child themselves. After all they aren't likely doing it with any malicious intention to hurt someone they just need to learn that they make choices. Right choices - give them a big thumbs up, tell them "right choice buddy!" and lots of encouragement. Bad choices - a thumbs down, tell them "uh oh that was a wrong choice huh?" and then show them the right choice to make and have them say a little "sorry". They will learn. My son is very aggressive as well (he is 2) but he is learning the more we show him. Yours will too.