https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 09:00:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2085125 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 14:08:11 +0000 rachiecakes 2085125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ra: J's receptive was off the charts. However, his expressive? He babbled at conversation speed and I could understand what he was saying with a few words and some made up words but outside of our household, no one really knew what he was saying.<br /> Last summer one friend kept asking me about speech therapy and when I was going to get him in. (He was 2.5 then)<br /> I was only a bit nervous because I knew kids younger than J that were singing along to songs on the radio, talking full sentences, etc.<br /> Right when he started school at 2.9, he started to put it all together and now he talks beautifully. He's now just over 3 and counts to 100, spells many words (mom, dad, his name, cat, dog, etc.).<br /> I'd definitely give B some time :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084794 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 12:20:21 +0000 HLK208 2084794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Time! I worried that E was behind when we would hear other kids her age speak clear sentences (at 18-24 months) and E just was not there yet. If I'd ask her to repeat my sentence, she would drop the beginning of it or the end. I asked the pediatrician and his response was every child is different, they learn at their own pace and he wasn't concerned at all. He said he was only worried if there was regression, which there wasn't. I've always been on the verge of starting speech therapy with her but then a few weeks pass and she makes strides on her own.<br /> At 23-24 months she finally started parroting a little more. Then there was kind of a lull where there was very little improvement but now at 2.5 she talks non stop. Long sentences, stories, questions of all kinds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084667 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:25:58 +0000 brownie 2084667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son struggled with expressive speech and I had concerns starting at 18 months. Do not just dismiss them. Unfortunately, at that age, intelligibility is not a concern to doctors or therapists. They want word counts and sentences. My son could say some very clear sentences (2 words) and tons of words. He was smart enough to use only the phrases and words he knew and that would work in the situation so no one noticed he didn't know other words/sounds. At 3 years old intelligibility is an issue and he qualified for speech at that time. We also had concerns about hearing so we did tubes. Since last May (1 months after 3 and 2 months after tubes) he has gone from being in the 7th percentile of understanding to age level with appropriate therapy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084646 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:11:15 +0000 Ree723 2084646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That was DD1 - she had literally zero discernible words, other than mama and dada up until her second birthday. She understood absolutely everything though and was following two and sometimes three step directions, so I knew her receptive language was fine, it was just the expressive that wasn't coming along. Shortly after her second birthday though, the words just started exploding, to the point where I couldn't even keep track of how many new words she was saying every day! </p> <p>Now, at 2.5 years old, she has as many words as her peers and is perfectly on par developmentally. I think it was just her personality - she just wanted to wait until she knew she could do it before she started talking.</p> <p>ETA: sorry, hit post before I meant to! Was just going to say that you are doing loads of great activities and all of the suggestions I have have already been mentioned above. I'm sure the language will come, some kids just take time, but I know it's hard not to worry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084642 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:09:29 +0000 Ra 2084642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the tips, ladies! I know you aren't supposed to compare but it is so difficult not to! B is super smart and his receptive language astounds us. Still, I think we have a nagging doubt in the back of our minds because of that stupid OT who was convinced he had a syndrome, would have cognitive and speech issues, etc. when he wasn't feeding himself at the typical age. We switched pediatricians and our new one has assured us she was way out of line, but the seed has still been planted. </p> <p>That being said, I know all kids develop differently and C's mom has made comments to me about how advanced B is with his gross motor skills and her concern that C is behind in them. I guess it's just our nature as moms to worry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084636 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:07:14 +0000 lawbee11 2084636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Repetition. And sounding out the whole word for her. When she wants water she often says "wawa," but I always repeat it as "water." I also try and emphasize the second syllable when I repeat it back to her. So she'll say "bu" for book but when I give it to her I'll say here's your booK and really emphasize the K. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084634 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:06:34 +0000 looch 2084634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Facial exercises! Sounds silly, but so much of language is motor related (think about what your face does when you talk, look at yourself in a mirror).</p> <p>Kisses, blowing bubbles, drinking from a straw, letting him use a whistle, biting things, making a fish face, making "e" sounds (exxagerated smiles) are just a few of the things we've done.</p> <p>. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084630 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:04:14 +0000 Chuckles 2084630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 19 month old also has great receptive communication but not as developed expressive communication. The one thing I've found to be helpful is making sure that he has to at least attempt to say a word (it can be an approximation or imitation) before I give him something he requested or do something he wants. And we've been upping the ante as he gets better. So at first if he pointed at the sink and his cup to show that he wanted water, I would prompt him to make any vocalization first. Then he had to say "wa." And now we are working on "mo wa." And you can set up situations where your child has to communicate. So I will put a toy or snack in a container that he can't open so that he had to ask for it. (He is working on the long o sound) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084623 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:01:14 +0000 Cherrybee 2084623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ra: He doesn't sound any different to E, honestly! And we think she's pretty advanced! :silly: I think the other kid is just a genius! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084621 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:00:52 +0000 bunnylove08 2084621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Time. my friend who is in the health field said children should be able to string words based on their age, so at age two they should be saying two word sentences. </p> <p>My DD is 2.5 and she can say 9 word sentences. Her cousin who is 3 months old than her only says about 3-5 word sentences but he can identify letters. So everyone is different. I would keep speaking to your LO as you would to an adult and do not answer for him. Encourage him to ask for what he wants. </p> <p>Please don't compare your child to another. your child is doing wonderfully. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084616 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:59:14 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2084616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everything you are doing is great, so I would just suggest questions in while reading or just doing random activities. If receptive is good, pointing should work well. But also ask questions that require a verbal answer. Tons of them. Ask what color is x? Wait a while before supplying an answer. I always hint the answer with the first sound, then I say the whole answer. Wait time is key. </p> <p>After he gets the one word questions you can start asking things like "what do you see?" that have a variety of possible answers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084609 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:55:33 +0000 Adira 2084609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I totally agree with time.</p> <p>@Ra: All kids develop language skills differently and at different speeds. The kid you are describing sounds incredibly advanced for his age. At 20 months, Xander only had about 25 words and most of them were only understandable by my husband and myself. His language skills exploded shortly after that, but he's only just now (2 years tomorrow) stringing words together in simple phrases.</p> <p>I do think being in daycare full time helps though. He has lots of interaction with other kids and teachers and they read stories and sing songs all day. I'm assuming that must help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084607 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:54:10 +0000 coopsmama 2084607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for asking this. I'll be following along. As you know, our boys are the exact same age. :) C currently has TWO words that he uses with any regularity - no and mama. He has said other words but not with any frequency and some we've only heard once but never again. As it is, those only number about ten anyway!! I've been a little concerned because other boys his age seem to be a lot more expressive and he doesn't have a lot of sounds yet, either. </p> <p>We work with him with books, trying to get him to ask for things/name objects, and even flash cards. If I ask him to say a word he usually just says "aba" for everything.</p> <p>We actually contacted EI this week so we will see how an evaluation goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084604 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:53:25 +0000 cascademom 2084604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ra: Do the classes have free play time where the kids can roam and play? Some of the best talking with LO takes place then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084598 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:49:57 +0000 Ra 2084598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cascademom: He starts preschool in August one day a week! Right now, we do My Gym and Music Together but there isn't much talking involved in either. I'll see what other classes are available in our city. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084596 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:48:50 +0000 Smurfette 2084596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ra: There is a boy in R's class that talks as good as a 3yr old. I walk in and he says R Lastname Mama. Um she doesn't know her last name, but he does.<br /> We just say use your words a lot. Then tell her what things are a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084595 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:48:09 +0000 Mamaof2 2084595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Time?</p> <p>DD was evaluated at 20 months for lack of words by EI - she didn't qualify. They said she was making the right sounds and understood what was being said to her so they told me to give it time.</p> <p>Shortly after age 2 she started talking a lot more!</p> <p>Not super helpful but that was my experience!</p> <p>She was in DCP and the quietest in her class - a sub teacher asked if she knew how to talk :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084593 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:46:42 +0000 cascademom 2084593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO's language flourished when we got him in a preschool setting different from his daycare of primarily babies. Could you do classes with his age group on a regular basis, so he's surrounded by kids his age talking? It made such a difference with LO and his speech being around 14 other kids talking just like him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-encourage-language-development#post-2084577 Wed, 25 Feb 2015 10:41:22 +0000 Ra 2084577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 20 months and I am pretty sure he is a little behind in his speech. His receptive language is excellent but his expressive is pretty limited. He has a decent amount of words but most people other than me cannot understand them. He also isn't stringing words together.</p> <p>I watch a little boy on Wednesdays who is 3 days older than Brady. His speech is incredible. He is not only forming simple sentences but stringing those sentences together. For example, earlier today he said, "Dogs downstairs. They're sleeping. They go night night." I know that he is probably advanced for his age but every time I watch him it makes Brady's speech, or lack thereof, that much more obvious. </p> <p>Is there anything you have done that you found effective in fostering LO's speech development? We already read a ton and I repeat a lot of words and point out and name things. </p>