how to encourage almost 2 year old to talk?

[pinklemonade84]

Hi

I’m starting to get a bit concerned about my little girl’s lack of speech (she will be 2 in April).

She uses about 5 or 6 words (if that) and everywhere I read says that she should have around 4 times that amount by now

I keep hovering over the health visitors number but ideally would like to try and improve things a bit at home and see if we can get some sort of improvement before her 2 year check and her next appointment to see her epilepsy consultant at the hospital.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do please?

[icantdothis2017]

My daughter was two in February an only has 14 words

Place marking

[pinklemonade84]

I ended up phoning the health visitor. She’s sending me a leaflet out with all the details of a drop in clinic with a speech and language therapist at our local children’s centre. Hopefully they will be able to give me some pointers

[hairRaising]

Try learning Makaton together, it's simply amazing for communicating and can help with language development too. Your children's centre may signpost you to a course or simply copy the sign Mr Tumble uses

[BeeMyBaby]

You have spurred me on, I'm going to call the hv tomorrow, (DS turned 2 in Jan and has 3 words).

[Smellyjo]

That's great you'll get speech and language input. You probably do these things already but it's all about repetition- she needs to hear every word many many times, so just make a point of talking to her about what you're doing, what she's doing, what you both see, etc etc - constantly. Singing songs and reading often. The range for language is very varied between kids, I'm sure everything will be fine in the end.