Nursery concerned with DD's (2) lack of speech

[Vinoporfavor]

Just that really. Nursery asked me in for a chat to discuss their concerns. Development delay was mentioned. I was quite surprised as DD talks, so why isn't she talking at nursery? I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this?
Just to give background DD attends nursery 2 days a week and turned 2 in January. She is happy at drop off and pick up. She speaks coherently but she does like to babble, a lot. Says 2-3 word sentences eg I did it, I hear Daddy, more juice please, which I thought was pretty good?? Nursery have made other observations re DD not eating with a spoon (she does at home), not drinking from a cup (she does at home). Not sure what to make of this really.

What did they say when you told them she can do all these things at home? It can't be a developmental delay if she can do things in one setting but won't in another.

Had this with one of my DCs and within two weeks or so of them telling me, they came out of their shell and the nursery retracted it.

However, if you DO have any concerns, it's good to get the ball rolling early as treatment can take a while to come through.

They said to write down at home what she says over an observed period and then take the notes in for them to look at and hold on file. I have done this and will take the notes in next week.

how long has she been at nursery? could it be anxiety about being at nursery?

maybe see if you can get some home video of her at a meal-time at home, talking and eating. you can show it to the nursery and any other professionals (if needed) to show what she can do.

My middle child wasn't able to talk until he was 3, or thereabout. He had speech therapy, and lots of comments from concerned professionals, but as the usual story goes - now (aged nearly 5) he goes non-stop from the crack of dawn, until he nods off at night. It doesn't always mean there is a problem.

Hopefully nursery will be reassured after seeing your notes, and maybe a video as PP have suggested. Did they talk at all about how she's settled and what strategies they've used so far to help her with her talking?

She's been at nursery since October last year. Last month she was moved from the baby room to the next group up and she was unsettled at first. (Tears at drop off). Perhaps she misses being with the babies and the nursery worker in charge of that group?
She's my only child so not too sure what to make of it all really, if anything.

Thanks, yes the video is a good idea. I'll do that over the weekend.
Nursery said that they haven't been pushing her into talking, but now that I've confirmed she talks at home, they will. They didn't go into detail re how they would do this though and I didn't ask. I can ask next week.

I would imagine that the change of room and key worker could well be partly responsible. I think that the nursery are mentioning developmental delays perhaps a little too soon. I would definitely want to know what they are going to do to help her with her talking, and if they have any suggestions for you to do at home. It's all very well throwing vague diagnoses around, but they need to say what they are going to do as well!

I don't think parents or Nursery need to over-react on this!

She is two-and-a-bit! When she wants to TALK - she WILL talk!

Poor little thing: leave her alone to do what SHE wants. And if Nursery wants to PUSH - I only hope they don't push too hard! That could be the WORST thing for her.

Everyone seems to think every child should be the same as every other child: it doesn't work like that!

Her speech at home doesnt sound delayed. But i guess if they keep hearing the babbling (dd never really did that)
But they certainly do speak less at playgroups etc because busy playing.

I have had two late talkers. One was three, the other 3 and a half before they said their first word.
Both now have perfect speech.

My DD wouldn't talk when she was at nursery when she was 2, especially in group situations, the workers encouraged her and she slowly upped her talking. We've just had a parents night at school and it's now changed to talking too much. Try not to worry.

DD barely spoke for about the first 4 months at nursery, they weren't sure she could even talk until we told them. She never stops at home. With her, it was a clear case of being unsettled, she started chatting after 5 months & they have recently said that although she's still reserved if there are lots of people about, she clearly speaks well so they aren't concerned.

I wouldn't worry about it.

I'll try not to worry. Thanks.

Nursery said that they haven't been pushing her into talking, but now that I've confirmed she talks at home, they will.

Please tell them very, very clearly not to do this! It is absolutely the worst thing they could do and is likely to cause her to be unable to speak in their care for a very long time.

They need to ignore the fact that she doesn't feel able to speak while at nursery, enable and encourage her to communicate in ways that make her feel comfortable, e.g. pointing and be patient.

If they disagree, ask them to find out about strategies used to support selective mutism and they will then perhaps understand a little more.

Trying to push a child to speak is like trying to push a child to eat; the harder you push, the more anxious they get and the less able they are to do what you want.

Let her speak to them when she feels ready.