My 31/2 year old boy does not have fluent speech.?

Question

I actually have to force him to ask for what he wants. He understands and follows instructions (when he wants). Is there any way to motivate him to speak??

Answer 1

Game play is an awesome way to motivate speech in young children. Show him pictures of different things, and have him say what they are with each turn taken. Make it fun, and he will get there.

Answer 2

Do not force him to do anything. Just converse with him a lot, in a loving and friendly way. Some children jsut take longer to learn to speak. Most 3 1/2 year-olds are not fluent, anyway. One boy in my class did not speak at all until he was 3 1/2, and now, at age 5, he has a very large vocabulary and speaks very well. I suspect he spent a lot more time listening as a toddler, and therefore became a more articulate child.

Answer 3

Not really. That is his personality. The only thing you can do is to tell him to talk when he reaches for things, but you probably already do that. As long as he knows how to talk and can do so sufficiently when he does, there is really no need to worry.

Answer 4

oh yes, there are so many ways.  You're already onto some.  One good way is simply waiting.  Waiting out your child until an attempt to communicate is made.  Another thing you can do is 'play dumb'.  If your child gestures instead of using words, you can pretend you think they are pointing to something else, or just pretend like you don't know what your child wants.  Another thing you can do is 'sabotage'.  You can interfere or block what your child is wanting or trying to do.  For example, you could put your hand over their cup and turn your head away and act like you aren't aware of what you are doing.  Or you could block the car they are playing with and act like you don't know your hand is in the way.  Then your child would get your attention and ask you to 'move' or whatever.  

While doing these things, be sure to know where your child is at.  If your child has poor articulation, then you would accept aproximatations of the word for you to get your child what he wants.  Also, know how much prompting you need to do.  A gesture is less of a prompt than the actual word.  Or you can begin the word or phrase but not finish it.  For example, if your child is trying to request juice, you could say "I wa......" and then wait expectantly for him to say "....ant juice".  Or if your child sees a dog and points you could say 'do....' and wait expectently for your child to say 'g' or 'dog'.  The less prompting that is needed the better.

You've figured out the difference between 'expressive' language (what a person can say) and 'receptive' language (what they understand).  If you are concerned about your childs speech or language development, know that you could find the local early intervention agency in your region or the agency that provides special education services to children 3-5 years old.  Federal law requires children 3-5 years old who qualify to be served, so you could get a speech and language evaluation for your child and if he qualifies, he could recieve specialized speech and language servics to help with his development.  I would encourage you to keep an eye on his language and if you notice it's not improving to get help sooner than later.  Earlier is always better.

Answer 5

It's good that you do make him ask for what he wants.  And, when you do, go ahead and ask him questions: Do you want your milk in a glass or in a mug?  How do you want your sandwich?  Which color do you like more, green or blue?  Why is that?  Do you think we should have peas or beans for our vegetable tonight?

Answer 6

I'm not saying anything about your son here because I do not know the situation personally--- this is just a post to give you what I have on this subject ---

I have a couple as friends who have a son (now nine years of age) who, as a much younger child -- did not speak hardly at all until he was almost four---then for close to two years the speach was very limited (although done well when he DID talk) but at about the age of six--- he began talking with more and more frequency and thing is --- when he started to school and to this day --- he has been an unbelievably marvelous student excelling in almost all of his studies !!  It is also amazing to hear his vocabulary at age nine--- he has a major grip on the language and a solid understanding of words !!!

So, don't dispare--- he may turn out to be a freaking genius in the makings !!!

Answer 7

Good  you  make him ask for what he wants, .If he just show you what he needs,just say ex:-Oh! I don't remember what's the name of that thing please help me? when he asks you for that or any other thing praise him a lot.Make it as a game.Don't force him too much give him time.Play games with him that he has to talk without not letting him know you are bothered.You need patience. good luck and cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 8

Don't get too frustrated. Be patient. Don't force him to speak when he doesn't want to yet. Your frustration will only make him feel uncomfortable.

Keep talking to him and asking him questions. If he doesn't want to answer, give him choices. Model good verbal skills so when he's ready to talk, he'll know how to.