Advise on toddler speech. My grand-daughter is 14 months old and can't say words yet. Is there a problem or is she delayed in her speech. What can I do to encourage her to speak out words. I have done everything I would have done with my own kids at that age.
Some kids just take longer to talk but if you are really concerned there are federally funded programs to catch early signs of problems and provide intervention. I've heard it advertised on the radio but I can't remember what it's called here.
maybe you should try educational videos and toys with letters, animals, and shapes.. I think if you just let her find her way with alittle guidence she'll speak in no time.. my son is 2 years right now, but he's spoke clear words before he turned 1 and now that he is 2 he speaks full sentences.. I surrounded him with alot of toys that sang out words, he loves Barney... but i had to do alot of praising and worship to get him to be interested... Children have a low interest span and with that you have to just keep singing, playing, and acting like an older kid to get them into it with alot of encouragement... or make them play with kids that speak alot!!! well, thats all the advice i should let out b/c I'm new here and I thought I'd just share my experience... I'm a 1st time mother, with a beautiful miracle from god.. I have a 2 year old toddler that has alittle too much to say now and days!! lol but he talks to me all the time and i love to understand him... it's much easier... well, take care and good luck!!
I don't think there should be any cause for alarm. Children all develop differently. Quite a few children at this age still babble however to rule out anything you may want to consider having her checked out with PEDS Guam (Pediatric Evaluation and Developmental Services. My encouragement would just to speak to her normal without any baby talk and picture books with common living items is a great way to engage her listening and oral language skill. By just merely pointing out objects in the picture book and naming it, is a good way to develop oral language. You could encourage her by asking her to repeat what you say. Whenever she is asking for something like her juice or whatever it is, instead of gesturing encourage her to name what it is she wants.
Be blessed.
I would recommend that you contact the Guam Early Intervention System. They should be able to do an evaluation on her and will give good advice on what needs to be done to help her.
Here's a link to their website:
http://www.guameis.com/home.php
Hope this helps....
Hey Jen go to UOG in the Deans Circle--they have this office called PEDS, it's to evaluate infants to toddlers whether or not they have a speech deficiency. Three of my five went there. Two out of three needed help. I'm sure its still around. These kids are now teenagers and are doing fine.
hey J.! has her hearing been checked? Is she not speaking to anyone? does she speak/babble to a doll or sibling? I wouldn't be overly concerned just be sure to read plenty & try some silly toddler songs. be patient & rest assured she's still taking everything in:0)
You should try the Guam Early Intervention and PEDS. I did it for my son beacuse he to had speech delay and it turns out he has low grade autism.. He is starting to talk now that he is in school(Headstart) and he loves to sing.. In school, he has a speech and occupational therapist working with him and they have done a wonderful job. Do it now, the earlier the better..
Maybe u can get her tested for hearing at Guam Early Intervention at the Dean Circle at UOG.
Like the previous mama's said, I would take her to Guam Early Intervention. Check with public health because I think they are having a free open clinic some time soon. But in the mean while you could do baby signing as you practice speaking to her. That means incorporating sign language with speech to get your grand to communicate in two different ways. Babies have a harder time making sounds into words to communicate but incorporating signing can accelerate that process. I know first hand that Baby Signing works. My girl is only 6 months old but she can sign eat, milk, and almost sign the word more. This way she can tell me or I can ask her what it is she wants before she gets upset. For more info. on signing with your baby you can go to http://www.signbabies.com/
I hope that helps : )
