How much does your toddler talk?

The reason I ask is that Michaela was an early talker (she said her first word at 5 mo) and by her 15 month check she was saying several words and beginning to talk in sentences. She was developing quite a good vocabularly when suddenly she stopped talking. She now uses a lot less words than she did 6 months ago, it's like she's forgotton how to say them.

I'm not actually worried about it. My mum says I was an early talker too and then I stopped talking for about 10 months until suddenly at 27 mo I had a language explosion and went from saying nothing to using full sentences and able to give intelligent responses etc.

I suspect Michaela is the same because personality-wise we're very similar in many ways (the words stubborn and perfectionist come to mind). I also think she is a shy and introverted child, I was too (although those that know me probably won't believe it - my mum worked hard to push me out of my comfort zone) and I suspect that the fact that we moved last November out of the home we'd lived in since before she was born has played a part.

I know that her hearing is fine because I've done little amateur test to see if she can hear and understand me (because my nephew was recently diagnosed as deaf since birth, he's 6 years old and can hear some sounds and also learnt to lip-read which is why it wasn't picked up by the specialists earlier). Michaela can hear me, follow instructions, and communicate effectively without using too many words.

I really don't think we should force it on her, I think we should continue positively encouraging her but let her talk in her own time. Really, once she starts she won't stop and we'll look fondly back on the time before she could talk.

DH is really worried. The only other child we know that had a limited vocabulary at this age is our nephew. Also many of the words she uses wouldn't be found in a dictionary but I did point out to him that she is saying things we can understand and that's what's important atm - correct pronunciation will come later (although I know a few adults, and many adolescents that can't use proper english).

The other thing that worries him is all the other kids her age are like little parrots, repeating everything they hear and talking all the time, rattling off in sentences.

I also think part of the reason he's worried is because he's SAHD and feels that any perceived developmental failure (even if it isn't really one) is his personal fault.

He googled it last night and came home with pages and pages of info much of it from other forums suggesting that children like Michaela are probably autistic. Thanks google!!

So here's a list of things she says, let me know what you think (bearing in mind it's more than I said at her age - as I keep on telling her I'm more stubborn than she is ).

Mum
Dad
Dadda (means Nana)
Hi
Di (means Bye)
Turtle
Ow (means No)
Our car (it's said as one word)
Car
Me (she's just started saying this today)
Cracker
Tul (means Bottle)
sss (means Yes)
Mmmm-hmmm (also means Yes)
Baba (means baby)
Ta
Purple
pupple (means people)
Papark (means park)
ticktickle (means tickle and accompanied by wiggling fingers)
there
there-it-is (as one word)

eta: I've remembered a couple more words

Edited by MrsMojo

I think Michaela is 2 now Busymum?

I'm not sure but from what I see in kids that age I think that is within the [very wide] acceptable range? not sure though as Elle is 19mths and is a talker.

She's probably about to have a Plunket check-up then, so you could ask them?

How often does she hang out with other children? We have found that Charlottes vocab is huge and I honestly attribute it to being in day care and having exposure to other kids. She is just about full on talking now that she is in the over 2 year old area.

I probably wouldn't worry too much. And if you are still worried in June, definitely take her back to the Plunket nurse and see if there are any tests or specialists that you can see just to give you piece of mind.

The fact that you stopped talking then started again later on leads me to believe that perhaps she will do the same - genetics and all that!

(PS: Would love to get the girls together very soon - are you busy this weekend???)

Gremlins don't talk. Well, they probably say more than I give them credit for, but they are not huge talkers and like Busymum, most of what they say are random syllables that they repeat until we get the message. Altho they do have a couple of two word sentences: thank you, all gone and Sienna's fave, get out!

Compared to Maya at the same age tho, they say bugger all, she was an early talker and had a huuuuge vocab from very early on. On her second birthday we have a video of her singing herself Happy Birthday, all complete and correct and clear as a bell. The gremlins will be lucky if they can even say "birthday" at this rate.

PMSL about the happy birthday Emma. That is so cute. Michaela just grinned at everyone and basked in the attention.

Clare - what is it with the word Turtle? It's not like it's a common thing to see (like truck or car) but it's one of Michaela's words too. She used to say kiwi in a really high pitched voice which was super cute.

She does seem to interact well with other children, as much as any of them do at the parallel play age. She obviously watches and learns from other kids so I think putting her into playcentre or daycare once per week would help.

It is really cute, that's probably partly why they say it - for the reaction they get from adults and older children.

Recently we spent the weekend with some of her cousins and Miss 8 and Mr 6 spent a lot of time pointing out turtles and finding things that were purple just to get Michaela to say those words.

Ok Zaara is a bit older that Michaela like 5 months and she has picked up many words since her 2nd birthday...see if I can remember what they were...

Mumma
papa
Nana (My Dad)
Nani (My Mum)
Aaji (Atish's mum)
Kaku (Atish's brother)
Uncul (My brothers)
Baba (my auntie)
Bottol
dog
cat
horsey
Elephent (but learned to say it properly a few months back)
Pingu
tiger
piggie
plate
cup
go away
stop
quiet
toys
mickey
minnie
dona duck (Donald duck)
goofy
daisey
cuddles

Many more (cant remember now)


Sentence:

Letgo outside (lets go outside)
My bike
My Toys
no cream on face mumma
I don like it
luv woo
don cy baby (dont cry baby)
baby cying mumma
zaara get ouchy
wher papa mumma?
Aaji/kaku/nana coming mumma??
we stay here
we go home

etc etc

She has picked up many many more sentences now in the last few months and is talking alot!! She is even opening up books like slinky malinky now and saying "jump high off floor, swang handul, open door" but just a few weeks ago.

But at 2 she did talk quite a bit....however she stared really late so every child is different and she goes to day care where she is exposed to loads of people and children (cant take all credit for her talking ability)

Please dont worry, you will see that with in few months she will talk heaps and then you will ask your self why oh why??

We just had our Paft teacher here. We had a music dvd on when she arrived, and she said singing/music is really good for language development. You could try a local Mainly Music group. Sessions are usually 1/2 hr once a week and held ina church. There are several dads that regularly bring there kids along to the one we go to.

Ollie is nearly eighteen months and barely talking at all. I also am stressing about it but I do know that like Andie said he has been focusing HEAPS on his physical development. I asked the doctor and they thought things were fine but have referred him to a ped. and for a hearing assessment just in case. I am sure his hearing is fine though as he knows at least a hundred words and can point to them around the room or in books. He also can instructions. He just doesn't want to say words!!!