Advice History

Toddlers begin talking before they actually say words. There are using rhythms and cadences that mimic what they hear. It sounds like nonsense, but they are really trying to reach out and be heard. You can engage them, and give them the big payoff of being "understood", by responding to their gibberish with a pleasant, real-world response, as if you got what they are saying:

 

"Yababybbaakubub"   "Yes, I agree. The apple sauce is delicious."

 

"Purnutbbaab"   "Oh, you are right! That fire engine is very red."

 

It can be a lot of fun, and it goes by in an instant ... so make sure to get your video or voice recorder out to capture some of this great stuff.  Your kids will love looking at it later, and marvel that there was ever a time before they could talk. 

I think the most important thing is to never underestimate what your baby understands.  They can't understand what you're saying until suddenly, they DO.  Some parents never speak to their child in baby talk.  It just doesn't come naturally to some parents, and many claim that their child picks up language a lot quicker that way.

Consider that repetition, repetition, repetition is a good way to help babies learn new words and meaning. Nursery rhymes, songs and single words are some suggestions offered in ?What to Expect: The First Year.?  They also recommend speaking slowly to your child so they can hear each word clearly and not rambled in long confusing jargon. Word association also helps them decipher words. Just be prepared, before you know it that sweet little voice will be rambling more words than you thought possible. Get out the camcorder, you are going to want to remember that voice forever!

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My advice for getting your toddler to talk is to not to "get" your toddler to talk. So many parents freak out with late-talkers (myself included.) My son just started talking, now at 27 months, weeks before we have been scheduled for speech therapy. To read our story go here , here  and here .  My pediatrician was worried and that didn't help matters but I knew that eventually Archer would talk. On his watch, not mine. So much of learning how to be a parent is learning how to let go and let your kid be a kid and that goes for toddlers learning to speak as well. Hang in there if you're child is having speech issues. You cannot force a child to talk! Children like all of us, do things at their own pace no matter how much you try to "teach" or "train" them.

Good luck and may the force be with you!

-Rebecca @ Girl'sGoneChild