3 1/2 year old 'baby talking'

[mrskatiekuj]

my son is 3 1/2, and is bright and usually very verbal and easily communicates his thoughts/ideas/wants/needs. Lately he has been playing this "baby talking" game, and he seems to think it is really funny but it completely grates on my nerves. I am trying not to hurt his feelings or give it too much attention, but it honestly drives me crazy when he starts going at it. He speaks in short, loud phrses "mommy. milk. mommy", "mommy. bandaid. need" Part of it I'm sure has to do with his younger sister (21 mo) who is just beginning to speak in short sentences and possible mimicking her.

How can I go about encouraging him to talk in his real voice, without hurting his self-esteem? should I just be sucking it up and letting this phase pass?

[MariesMama]

My daughter has been doing the same thing lately, after spending time with the neighbor's son who is 26 months and not very verbal.  It drives me up the wall, but I've been trying to stay calm.  If she's actually using words that I can understand, I repeat "You would like some milk?" and give it to her.  If I can't, I simply say, I can't understand you, please ask again when you are ready to use your words. 

There have been a couple times that I've walked away from her because she's saying "goo goo ga ga" and refusing to communicate when I am busy.  Not the best mothering ever, but better than me hollering.

[tooraloora]

DD did this complete with the goo goo ga ga's when she was 4. When she started baby babbling at me I responded with "Sweetie, I'd really like to talk with you, but I can't understand you when you talk like that. When you're ready to speak clearly, let me know." Then I went on with whatever I was doing until she spoke to me normally.