16 month old talks in sentences, counts and picks out words in stories

[Ophuchi]

Hello. I'm new here and wondered if other mums have had children who have developed these skills so young. My 16 month old daughter talks very clearly in short sentences, can count and knows how many objects - not just saying numbers. She also started pointing at words in stories and telling me what they said at 14 months.

I only know 4 other mums with kids the same age, all of whom are non-verbal or only saying a couple of words and just want to know if my little one is within the normal range of development. One of the other mothers I mentioned thinks there might be something 'wrong' with my daughter. In my heart I feel she is 'normal' just quick mentally.

She also crawled at 14 months and walked at 16 months so not quick at everything whereas the other 16 month olds we know were all early walkers.

Also wondering whether me being at home with her all day one-to-one has an effect. Other 4 mums all work full time, kids in nursery.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Ophuchi]

Thanks spottyfrock. Erm no I haven't been to HV since 12 months but didn't want ask that sort of thing in front of loads of other mums in real life!

[Ophuchi]

It's ok I suppose I deserved a bit of gentle piss taking, I didn't word it very well! I hope she'll be just the same as all the other kids when she gets to school :)

[pinkthechaffinch]

You need to read 'The Battle Hymn Of the Tiger Mother' OP

I'm sure one of hers was counting and adding by 18 months and reading.

I'm sure she'd have some tips for you.

[insanityscatching]

Ds now an adult was similarly able, considered gifted in Primary, was an absolute nightmare in Secondary school because he was mostly bored (although exceptionally well behaved at home)and probably contributed to the nervous breakdowns of quite a few staff.
Nowadays as an adult he holds a senior position in Local Government and is tipped for the top.
I can't and don't claim any credit for his ability as I had PND and he wasn't given all that much attention tbh.

[Ophuchi]

No, I'm sorry I don't agree with that! Not into 'making' my child do stuff. Just do what she wants to.

[Ophuchi]

Thanks insanity

[NerfHerder]

My DD was like this- spoke in full coherent sentences at 19mo, in the way a 7yo would, but until that point had not said a single word (no 'mama' or 'dada'). She didn't crawl until 16mo either, then walked 1 week later, never wobbled or toddled, just got up and walked straight across the room .
She could count up to around 12 objects too. (No reading though as far as I could see, though she recognised all letters by 2.4)

(She was at nursery FT btw... )

She is bright, but not gifted (now 5). I think children develop different parts of their brains at different rates, and according to their environments. Her language and communication skills were advanced, but to the detriment of other areas of development.

Her physical development was far behind that of her peers, so it's worth keeping an eye on that as she gets older. (My DD couldn't jump or hop or skip for a long time, and was very physically awkward, though that has improved a lot over the past 18mo, though she is still very cautious with physical activities.) She also has a lot of issues with sleep, and being able to stop talking...

[ScarlettIsWalking]

Dd was like this but also walking/ crawling very early.

You have a bright child, nothing wrong just enjoy. Dd is still the same and doing brilliantly. I don't think amything you said was offensive at all.

[NerfHerder]

SiW- are you a namechanger?

[NerfHerder]

Argh- ignore that, misread your post! sorry

[Ophuchi]

Love your name nerfherder! Yes, my daughter is definately physically behind average so I will keep an eye and see how things progress - sleep issues here too!

Thank you Scarlett, I didn't aim to offend!

[ExitPursuedByAGryffin]

Yes - and the OP then came on here to ask - but she must have had some idea surely, otherwise she would simply have dismissed the notion as thetosh it is--.

Maybe it would be like those poor children who age prematurely, Non? Your brain uses up all its potential too early?

[ExitPursuedByAGryffin]

Sorry, my post was in reply to Thumb.

[Ophuchi]

Thanks Dandylioness, the other 4 kids we know all walked at nine - ten months and their mums let us know about it so I thought my wee one was a bit behind there. I'm just going to enjoy her and not worry about this stuff anymore :)

[SJisontheway]

Your dd sounds exceptionally bright to me and reminds me of a little girl I used to babysit for. She could read the paper at aged.2. She did really well in school and is now a.doctor. her mum worked though.

[Ophuchi]

Thanks SJ

[SpottyFrock]

Thesecondcoming, it's similar with my DD1. Fortunately for DS, he came first so the fact that he only had single words til nearly two and seemed only to want to eat playdoh didn't seem to phase anyone.
However, poor DD2 has been constantly compared. And yet, whilst she may (likely) end up being academically average, she seems the happiest and most content of the three!

[SpottyFrock]

Sorry, TSC, that was to your post much earlier about your DD and DS being compared. I wrote the post then just nattered on the phone for ages!

^MN and phone calls-thats why poor DD2 isn't as advanced!

[nenevomito]

There's been some harsh replies on here. Have PM'd you.

[Ophuchi]

Thank you all for your replies, and especially babyheave for the pm. The consensus of opinion seems to be not to worry too much about what other people say (experienced mums or not) and just get on with enjoying our lovely daughter. I'll take this as a lesson to have more confidence in my own instincts.

[Ophuchi]

I don't know - the other mum said there might be something wrong with her and I was a bit upset so never asked what she meant - just made a wee joke that any child of my husbands was never going to be right in the head!

[happybubblebrain]

My dd has been going to nursery since she was 1 and I was having fluent conversations with her about everything when she was 16 months old. She was able to say words like psychology at that age too. She was also able to count to ten without any prompting and she knew her whole alphabet age 2. I think we both have clever children, and I don't think it has anything to do whether they stay at home or go to nursery.