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How to encourage speech in an 18 month old

2 replies

BlueKarou · 21/08/2017 13:13

Just that really. My son's 18 months old and although he does a lot of babbling, he only says 2 or 3 recognisable words (i.e. 'Dee' for 'birdie' and 'Dar' for 'Star'), and doesn't seem that fussed about speaking.

He's definitely understanding things - if I ask him to sit down he'll (sometimes) do it. If I ask him to go get the ball/bear/doll/etc he will happily oblige. He loves to sit on my knee and read the 'That's not my...' books and he'll point at the mouse on each page, etc. I got him a book of 100 first words and he'll point at a thing so I say what it is, but there's no repeating.

He's my only child, so it's not a case of an older sibling talking for him. I'm mostly not worried, I know kids all develop differently, and he's not obviously behind on any of the other 'normal' milestones. I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do to help/encourage his speech.

OP posts:
Mineshalfamilkstout · 21/08/2017 14:10

Singing simple songs might help. Most children of that age that I know like to chime in eventually.

Metalhead · 21/08/2017 14:22

I'm no expert, but would think that just talking and reading to him like you are doing is fine. DD2 is 20 months and has only just these last few weeks started to say a lot more, two months ago she didn't really say any proper words.

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