What's Normal
Speech develops for most children the same way. However, the pace can vary considerably from child to child. As a general rule, a one-year-old should be able to say one word. Two-word combinations develop about 18 months to two years, and three-word sentences before turning three years of age.
When a child is evaluated for delayed speech, the specialist is looking at both your child's understanding of the word and how much she is actually speaking. For example, an average 18-month-old can say 50 to 100 words, but can understand far more than that. Following directions and making gestures are indicators that your child is communicating and understanding.
Reasons Behind Speech Delays
Many factors determine whether your child is a late bloomer, or not. These include heredity and temperament, as well as mom trying to anticipate your baby's every need. Asking him, "Do you want your binky?" instead of letting him sort out the words for himself gives him no reason to speak.
Some kids that tend to be late talkers include:
Boys: Boys often develop their speech later than girls do, though there is only about a one to two month difference. At 16 month of age, boys use an average of 30 words, while girls tend to use around 50.
Prematurity: Babies born early often take longer than others to reach milestones, but by age two they usually catch up to their peers. Doctors advise parents that when they begin to anticipate their preemie's development, they should begin counting from the child's due date, not the actual date she was born. A baby born three months early can seem to be taking longer to begin talking, but is actually progressing at just the right rate.
Multiples: Speech specialists estimate that as many as 50 percent of all multiples have some sort of language delay. Prematurity, low birth weight, and medical intervention at birth all occur more often among multiples and can contribute to language delays.
Chronic ear infections: If fluid in the ear is present for months at a time, especially during baby's first year as a child starts to process language, it can result in poor hearing and therefore, delayed speech.
What To Do
The best time to seek professional help is when your child is around the age of two and a half, the age when late bloomers usually catch up. Language problems are usually addressed with speech therapy or by treating undiagnosed ear infections or hearing problems. Your doctor can recommend a speech/language pathologist for an evaluation.
Before age two and a half, listening to your voice is a great way for your baby to learn to talk. Read aloud, sing songs, and ask open-ended questions to encourage conversations. Blowing bubbles can develop oral muscles, and toy telephones and pretend play encourage talking as well.
When you get tired of being asked when your child is going to begin talking, remember that there are many factors determining his speech development. Kids acquire speech, like all other developmental skills, at their own pace. Most kids who are late talkers will eventually catch up. If you do have concerns about your child, don't hesitate to discuss them with your family doctor.
Kat Hafen writes for many baby publications including HugaMonkey, which has baby slings, changing pads, baby carriers, and much more. Visit HugaMonkey to find the perfect item to help with your baby!
Tags: family, parenting, infants, toddlers, baby and speech, speech delay in baby, speech delay in child