Is my 2 year old okay?

Question

My son is 23 months old (will be 2 in September 2008) and we are slightly worried about him. He's our first and only child. My wife only works a couple of days each week so she stays at home with him. He's never been around too many kids and has never been to daycare. We've always anticipated his wants and needs and we think that might be coming back to haunt us.

Our son says quite a few words but most of them are one-word "sentences". For example, "blocks", "puzzles", "juice", etc... We know exactly what he wants when he says those words so I guess he doesn't have to say anything else! But now we're worried. Does he have a problem? He says a lot of words (and they are clear) but hardly any are two-word sentences.

He's a smart little guy... loves to build puzzles; play with legos; colors; knows a few numbers and letters; etc... We might be over-worried but we're first time parents and don't know what the heck we are doing! :)

Any advice/suggestions are welcome.

Answer 1

A child turning two using has already begun to put together 2 - 4 word phrases.  Single word sentences usually start around 15 to 18 months old.  The fact that he has begun is good, and at this age they will begin to repeat words heard in conversation.  Since you anticipate what he wants, there is no reason for him to give you any further details.  Challenge him a bit when he just says one word.  Have him say 'Juice, please', or 'Apple Juice'.

One thing your child could benefit from is socialization with other children his age.  'Play dates' with kids his age are important.  Children his age learn from imitating older children and adults.  Separation anxiety fades at age two, but those children who are not socialized before Kindergarten tend to find that experience quite traumatic.  The separation from parents and the idea of having to share can be overwhelming if not taught early.

Answer 2

There's nothing wrong with him, but I would try to get him socializing with more children of his age. This way he will pick up the things that other children are learning as well. It will also make it easier on him when it's time to start school. You don't have to put him in day care necessarily, but how about joining some classes or playgroups for children of his age group. I know in NJ our county has a lot of programs for children and their parents on weekdays and weekends.

Answer 3

Start reading to him if you aren't already doing that.  When you offer him something, say to him, "John, do you want a cookie?"  He is only two, and as far as he is concerned, he is communicating well enough.  Give him time.  This will get better.  

Answer 4

My nephew didn't start talking until he was 4-5, and by talking I mean like sentences, you could never have a real convo with him. He would just say what he needs and wouldn't ever sit there and talk to you. He's really really smart, he's in middle school and hasn't gotten anything below an A-.

Answer 5

Do not let him get away with that any more. When he just says puzzle repeat to him "say can I please have the puzzle". His language skills will be low if you don't help him now.

Answer 6

No that's completely normal. What you may want to do is give use objects to show him, and keep repeating the name of the object.. he will eventually catch on and make sentences .. say things like " this is an APPLE.. apple apple" .. My son learned a lot of his words/sentences this way. Just don't overload him with anything!

Answer 7

You might want to sign him up for baby "classes," play groups, etc. He'll need to have interaction with other kids in order to learn basic social skills like talking & sharing. Look them up on line.  

Answer 8

He sounds perfectly normal to me. My oldest son who is three was saying one word phrases up until he was about 2 1/2 and now he speaks very clearly and never shuts up. My youngest boy who will be two in October sounds just like your son. He can say certain words and I usually understand exactly what he wants and he understands what we say but he isn't speaking in sentences. I have been told that boys talk later then girls. However, you will be surprised it happens so fast like overnight. Before you know it he will be saying three word phrases and then full sentences.  

Sounds perfectly normal to me.  

Answer 9

My son was also clever and at the age of 2, he wasn't talking at all, even stopped saying mumma and dadda and went back just to babbling. My partner and I were getting worried. When he turned about 26 months, he just started talking one day and didn't stop :)

he is now 3 and talks non stop in fulls sentences.

So don't worry, he will get there just as my son did :)

Answer 10

Your son sounds perfectly on track if not ahead for his age.  Boys will develop speech a little later than girls but some fine motor skills like his Lego's and puzzles come quicker.  My advice would be to let him ask for things the best way he can and repeat them the right way.  For example when he says juice you say " I would like some juice please" Toddlers are smart,  If he knows all he has to say is juice to get what he wants he doesn't bother with the rest.  I have a 3 year old son and 4 year old daughter and am a stay at home mom.  My son did and to a point does the same as yours.  Drink please is all he will say for juice, and I say the question with him the right way.  People tell my I know "Dannyese", my son's name is Danny and other people don't understand him as well.  Your son is still very young and will grow before your very eyes.  My girlfriend's son didn't even talk until he was three and at 5 years old now you would never know it.  Take care and have fun with parenting.

Answer 11

In general, boys develop speech later than girls. Don't worry, you're lucky! Some boys only grunt to get what they want until they hit 3!  

Answer 12

If your child just turned 2, there's no need to be overly concerned. Most children have a working vocabulary of about 50 words by age 2, but this is just an average — every child develops differently. However, just to play it safe, have a hearing evaluation done by an audiologist who performs tests specifically designed for young children. Accumulated fluid behind the eardrum is one of the most common reasons for speech delays in 2-year-olds; the fluid makes it hard for a child to understand and imitate speech.

Assuming that your child's hearing is normal, wait for the next few months to see whether her speech improves. In the meantime, if your child uses a pacifier, get rid of it. Sucking on a pacifier, though it may be comforting, locks a child's mouth into an unnatural position, making it difficult for her to develop and strengthen her facial muscles normally. Also, if her mouth is constantly occupied by a pacifier, she's not getting as many opportunities to practice talking.

Keep an eye on her nonverbal communication, too. It's a good sign if your child is making up for her lack of speech by communicating her desires through gestures. By the time your child is 30 months or so, she should be speaking in short phrases and sentences ("Me big girl"), even if she mispronounces many words. If this is not the case, have a speech-language pathologist take a look to see if there is anything wrong. She can advise you about what you can do at home to help give her a little jumpstart.

http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/404_s...

I work in a daycare and it's very clear that every child develops a different paces. Some of our 2 year olds speak verry clearly and in a couple word sentences and others are almost 3 and don't speak much at all. Just continue to speak clearly in full sentences to him. No baby talk or improper grammar and he'll begin to talk more....when he's ready. Good luck!

Answer 13

I would just try to get him around some kids. My brother did the same thing so we invited friends over who had kids about his age and he began talking more because, when he talked to the other kids he actually talked he didn't just say "play?" or something he would say something like "you want a play?" Hope I helped =)

Answer 14

Babies aren't born with instruction booklets LOL this is a learning experience for child and parents alike. and all kids are different. Nothing is wrong with your son you answered your own question he doesn't need to say more you are 2 steps ahead of him  start by encouraging   him to respond more at first he will just be insistent but you just have to be more patient and on top of it at all times. not giving him a drink when you think or know he wants one --say--tell Mommy or Daddy what you want if he says drink or juice you say( more juice please) and keep expanding on the phrases as he improves. Also socializing him with children his own age will make him pop out of his shell allot quicker.Take him to library story time and parks to play with other kids. ect.He knows how YOU work but if you have people around him that don't he will have to be ore precise about what he wants, and he seems very bright so work on it he will get it very quickly.

Welcome to Parenthood!!

Answer 15

I don't think it's that uncommon.  Call your pediatrician if you are really concerned they could tell you what is the right development level for your son

Answer 16

I am a mother of 2 and I felt the same way when they were little, too. I don't think you should worry about it because he sounds like he is doing very well speaking. As he gets older he will start to make sentences and it will amaze you.  My youngest just started kindergarten and was never in daycare but she is doing really well so just give him some time to get it all together.  

Answer 17

My now 2 1/2 year old son (will be 3 in December), actually talked a lot less than yours.  He didn't really say anything until about June of this year, except for "ma-ma", "da-da" and "kitty".  Now he talks a mile a minute, and used 4-5 word phrases, although not always grammatically correct, but that's ok.  

Answer 18

It is ok just start asking him different questions that he might know my brother had the same exact problem don't worry.

Answer 19

Maybe he's autistic.  

Answer 20

I don't think he has a problem, he just might be a little slow with sentences just give him some time..and most two year olds only talk in one/two word sentences...

Answer 21

What does your pediatrician say?  I know they usually ask around this age if they are using 2-3 word sentences, but language development is different for all kids.  

Instead, observe and check how well he carries out commands that you give him in complete sentences. Does he understand questions versus statements?

Good ways to beef up his vocabulary is to have him repeat what you say and then provide him with what he wants.  Use 2-3 word sentences, instead of just one word.  Reading to him a lot also will give him good vocabulary skills.  Some children's books have like little reviews of the book at the back that ask questions and have identification questions.  If some of the books you read to him don't, then just use the pictures in the book and start asking questions that he can respond to or identify.  With my son, I ask him to read the story to me, and he just talks about the pictures using little sentences.

Also, with every activity you are doing, talk, talk, talk.  Explain what you are doing, point out different things, name and count objects.  Say what you are doing.  Play guessing games.

There are 2 different things that come to mind that I do with my son that shows that not only can he sentences, but that he cognitively understands what he's saying and thinking about:

I ask him, "Where is daddy?"  His Answer: "Work"  I say: " Say, Daddy's at work." Response: "Daddy work," or "Daddy's at work."

I keep prompting him to say the full sentence.

I say:"I'm thinking of an animal, but I'm not going to say it.  You guess." His Answer: "uhm, (animal sound)."  My response:I'll say the animal's name that he made the sound to and I'll tell him yes, if it was the animal I was thinking or no guess again.  After a few incorrect guesses I'll say let me give you a clue, and I'll say the sound of the animal and he'll say the name of it.  Sometimes I do it in reverse so that he says the animal name first and I confirm the sound it makes.

In any event, it sounds as if your son is fine.  You'll just need to encourage more developed sentences while talking to him.  

Answer 22

when it comes to vocabulary it usually makes the most since to not worry until three most children learn to have a real conversation at about 2 1/2 i worried too about my daughter but now i spend more time wishing she would stop talking...

Answer 23

It is too soon to worry about language.  One word sentences are natural at this age.  

Answer 24

I'd talk to the doctor about his speech. I've always been told kids should be able to speak more then that by age 2.  The doctor will tell you if you need to see someone special or not.

I've run in to something like this at my work. The boy was so bright, but didn't speak much. Only words here and there like your son.  We've told the mother over and over he should be speaking more for at his age.

So please talk to your doctor. Let him know you are worried about it. Don't just let it go, because it could be something more then you think.

Here is a site you should checkout.  http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/baby-d...

Good luck with your little guy.

Answer 25

I'd probably say don't worry too much.

If for anything, you can take him to the doctor and see if he needs a speech therapist to make sure his speech develops well.

Answer 26

My son now 3 1/2 did the same thing.  He understood everything, only said a few words and used other sounds when he didn't know the words for something...and then one day at about 2 1/2 he just started talking non stop.  He doesn't sound like he is behind...he may just be hoarding it all until he is ready, like my son did.

If you are really concerned speak with his doctor

Answer 27

the only thing that really worries me about kids is when they start speaking in 3rd person

thats kinda creepy

like for example they would say

Chrissy is hungry

some kids at that age dont even speak at all there parents treat them like monkeys

i think alot of kids start putting sentences together at about 3 and 4 years old

Answer 28

The brain is an awesome thing he will develop his verbal skills if you like it or not. One thing I can advise is don't speak jibberish to your baby, talk to him as you would to me. Believe me I've seen it do wonders in kids.

But it is a good idea for your child to interact with other kids. Mabey your wife can hook up with a Mommy and Baby play group at your local community center.

I'm sure your doing fine.  

Answer 29

Nah he's ok my first son was talking, counting and so much more but his mobile skills were just average.  My 2 yr. old doesn't really talk at all but his mobile skills are highly above average he's very smart you can ask him for anything and he'll get it for you but won't say spit...lol  I'm not worried he'll speak when he feels like it.  But that's me if you're worried you need to take him to the doctor before he turns 3yrs. old or he'll have to have speak classes in the school system and the doctors won't be able to help you with the issue per California standards.  

Answer 30

Children talk when they are good and ready , read him stories and repeat phrases numerous times ,He will eventually start repeating what mommy and daddy are saying . If your still worried ask your pediatrician .Also try finding a child or 2 his age to play with kids copy other kids good luck.

Answer 31

my advice is to not get him what he wants when he gives "one word" sentences.. make him have to talk to you to tell what he wants, because otherwise, he will never be forced to talk if you are getting him everything he wants with one word. good luck!! just keep encouraging him to tell you exactly what he wants and don't jump right up and get it for him as soon as he asks for it!!