Why do boys take longer to talk than girls??

[sleepyhorse]

Hi

My son is 2.5 years old and is without a doubt a walker but most definately not a talker! Infact the few words he was using 6 months ago, he now seems to have regressed. A lot of my friends have daughters who are 6 months younger and all seem to be little chatterboxes.

He started nursery 6 weeks ago but still nothing. Should I be worried??

I wouldn't generalise and say that, my eldest DS was a chatterbox too... however I think (in general) boys may be quicker to do physical things earlier and girls often have more words, but I'm talking about the 12-24 months age more I think. If you are worried about his talking can you see your health visitor or GP to ask what they consider 'normal?'

I'm sure someone who knows more will be along soon!

my boys 3 and never shuts up, he went through a phase when he was about 2ish of repeating EVERYTHING so it seemed like he was talking alot but really he was just repeating the same words so i wouldnt worry, he'll pick up things quick now he's started nursery.

you shouldn't be worried, lots of kids talk late - though consider getting a referral for a hearing test to eliminate that as a cause via HV. After that, a SALT referral if necessary (though as i haven't gone this route yet there will be othrs who have on MN and will know more)

Boys are spoken to less on average than girls (or possibly they have slightly variant language ability - depends if you are biological determinist or not) but in each indidivual case that won't probably be the decisive factor.

My lil girl had a regression in speech too, and is now (slowly) moving forwards....

and yes, i quite often hear girls the same age yammering away to their mums and feel a bit queasy, but every child is different, and she'll talk more..when she wants to.

..oh, and our HV said not to worry until the end of term, 6 weeks not long enough to make a big improvement in speech....

ds2, who is 3.1, is at the same/similar stage of talking that my ds1 was at at the age of just past 2. with that, i mean the stage when they start repeating back words/sentences and coming out with numerous new words a day.

ds2 was referred to a SALT at the age of 2.6 as he had minimal words and apart from 'mama' and 'dada', his words were unrecognisable to anyone apart from his immediate family. he had a hearing test which was fine & tbh, as he was so young, they just wanted to see him again every few months just to assess any progress.

but literally in the last few weeks ds2's speech has come on massively - it's as though the lightbulb has finally come on and he comes out with new words constantly. a lot are still mispronounced, so he does still need to see the SALT, but it is SUCH a joy (and relief) to hear him talk and be understood by other people as well as us!!