2 year olds speech

[C0l3tt]

Hi everyone, I guess I’m looking for reassurance and positive stories regarding my 2 year old and his speech.

He has just turned 2 this week. I would say he has about 50 words that he says and knows. He has just started saying ‘more juice/biscuit/etc’ and can say things like ‘here it is’ but that’s it in terms of 2 or 3 word sentences. As little as 2 months a go too he would never say mommy but now I hear it approximately 300 times a day. So I know he is progressing, but I do think he’s behind.

His understanding is brilliant, can follow instructions, points to share interest, engages with us when he plays, copies what we do all the time etc. but I can’t help but worry when I see other 2 year olds or younger seemingly having conversations with their parents. My nephew is a week older than my son and he is a really good talker. They can have almost full on mini conversations with him.

Has anybody ever had a child seem behind in regards to speech and it all end up okay?

My eldest had about 20 words on his second birthday. He's 3 and a half now and is regularly commented on by strangers at how well he talks - both with vocabulary and enunciation.

More than likely in a few months you'll be wondering why you worried about your child!

Hi @C0l3tt, I’d say not to worry at all! Children develop in different ways at different rates. The fact you’ve noticed progress means your DS is well on his way, and I wouldn’t be alarmed at all at his age by what you’ve described anyway. You can help him along by doing all the usual things like reading stories every day and conversing with him, but he’ll get there. My DD is 2.5 years now and her language ability is probably above average, but there was a moment when all her little friends were babbling and then saying mummy and she just... wasn’t. We even had her hearing tested because it got to the point where we were worried! What we’ve noticed since is that she has these sudden leaps in ability. One minute she can’t do something or is struggling with it and the next… boom, she’s a pro. She likes to leave her developmental leaps right until we’re getting concerned too! It’ll probably be the same for your DS, but even if it isn’t, the fact that he’s gaining skills is brilliant!

Have you discussed it with your HV?

I believe they should have about 50 words and be starting 2 word sentences at age 2 so sounds like you child is doing great really.

He's doing fine and not behind. Don't worry.

He is absolutely fine. I used to work in nurseries and far fewer than 50 words was normal for just turned 2 year olds. The year between 2 and 3 is when their speech really flourishes and some don't say much until much nearer 3.

2 boys, only a few words at the age of 2, both starting talking talking age 2.5. Both at top sets in secondary school. The first one has diagnosed dyspraxia, the 2nd one doesn't

Thanks so much everybody for the reassurance, I really appreciate it. He’s my second boy, my first has autism and his speech developed so so so differently. It’s hard not to constantly look back and compare and also not to worry. I’m going to try and tell myself to relax over it all and I’m sure I’ll be reading this back in a years time wondering why I worried in the first place!