My son is 2 1/2 years old and I'm having trouble getting him to talk. He is trying to. You can understand what he is trying to say but the words aren't coming out clear. Its mostly still baby babble. You can tell theat he understands what you say to him. He says very few words clearly. I am at a loss of what to do. Its plain that he wants to talk and he seems to get frustrated when you can't understand him. Anybody have any advice?

Hi sansha, at 2 l/2 he should be starting and if you say he is trying and can vocalize then he is getting there and you are just as frustrated as he and maybe be transferring this to him.

My advice is let him play more with other children his age and that may give him a boost in the right direction. Another bit of advice is, have his hearing checked although you say he understands what you say to him, could be reading lips.

Tick

I would have his hearing checked, and make sure he doesn't need ear tubes. I've known of two children who needed ear tubes at this age, and had terrible chronic ear infections that had not been detected because they did not complain in any way or seem sick. They were used to it, so acted normally when they were not well.

If that's not an issue, I'd just give the child more time and be interactive with words with the child - not pressure to perform, but fun things like Sesame Street and Barney, and children's songs, and reading books to him and the like. He will talk when he's ready.