I think the "average" at that age is between 10-50 words. I wouldn't consider your DS delayed, especially since he was born 4 weeks early. There is a wide range of normal..
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There is a wide range of normal here. My little girl is 19 months old (but born at 36 weeks as well), and she didn't say anything until around 15 months, and then started with sentences (although the words aren't really all that recognizable unless you know her.
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: ). I know other children who just pick up one word at a time. At this age, comprehension is the most important thing...with developmental delays, you often see poor comprehension as well. And the fact that she's also signing means that she is using expressive language.
Our ped said that even for a 36 weeker, you have to use the adjusted age for 2 years. So, your little one's speech only needs to be on track for a 16 month old at this point, and it sounds like it very much is.
Our ped said that even for a 36 weeker, you have to use the adjusted age for 2 years. So, your little one's speech only needs to be on track for a 16 month old at this point, and it sounds like it very much is.
Thank you for all the replies! Crunchy Mommy, that is *amazing* that your son had hundreds of words at this age! I can't imagine how surreal that would feel to carry on conversations with an 18 month old. But I do have a friend whose DD also has an extensive vocabulary at this age. I do agree that DS is probably using words sometimes that I am just not picking up on. Also, I wasn't sure whether to count signs as "words" -- I mean, they serve the same purpose! At any rate, he's probably doing just fine.
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No, not developmentally delayed, especially adjusted for the 4 weeks.
At 16 months, DD could say "mama, dada, baby, bye" but not on demand. She could sign "more, eat, up, please."
This month (18 mos.) she had a vocab explosion--signing "more, eat, up, please, help, sleep, hot, yes, bath, thank you...." And saying "hi, bye, mama, daddy, baby, no, nana, tv, outside, ready, nigh night, pee pee," the list goes on. It'll just happen one day and you'll think, "who ARE you?"
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At 16 months, DD could say "mama, dada, baby, bye" but not on demand. She could sign "more, eat, up, please."
This month (18 mos.) she had a vocab explosion--signing "more, eat, up, please, help, sleep, hot, yes, bath, thank you...." And saying "hi, bye, mama, daddy, baby, no, nana, tv, outside, ready, nigh night, pee pee," the list goes on. It'll just happen one day and you'll think, "who ARE you?"
If your kid is delayed, so is mine
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DS is about to turn 16m and he says thank you, bye, and keykey. That's it. He signs milk, juice, more, mama and potty, and makes sounds for potty and dog. He tries to sign I love you, but his hands don't quite do it.
He understands a lot. We were playing a game and I told him to get a ball, put it in the hole, and push a button, and he followed all the directions (one step at a time of course)
I think there is about to be an explosion of language between 18m and 24m. I've been trying to show him a lot of signs too. I have heard that boys start talking later, so I want him to at least have signs to express himself!
He understands a lot. We were playing a game and I told him to get a ball, put it in the hole, and push a button, and he followed all the directions (one step at a time of course)
I think there is about to be an explosion of language between 18m and 24m. I've been trying to show him a lot of signs too. I have heard that boys start talking later, so I want him to at least have signs to express himself!
My 17 month old (who was born at full term) is almost exactly like yours. He says mama, dada, kitty and doggie. He has a few signs (all done, help, thank you, bottle and drink) but seems to understand everything I say and will follow complex instructions (go get your stool, bring it over to the wall, then turn on the light). I think he's perfectly normal and healthy
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sounds normal to me too. DS wouldn't speak until way past his 2nd birthday. He did say "mama" or "ball" or "Marty" (our dog) but that was about it. He is now 3.5 years old and while some of his friends are way ahead with the talking he's definetely improved. He can sing all the short kid-songs and he can tell stories, even if it's messed up and not making a whole lot of sense sometimes.
DD however started saying words as early as 12 months old. She speaks in 3 or 4 word sentences by now (she just turned 2). It amazes me every day. Today she counted and started singing the ABC (she didn't make it past the F tough
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). I'm sure it's because she is the second child. DS talks to her a lot, we talk to her a lot more than we did to DS (I believe) and I guess she's just trying to keep up. Plus she's a girl...she's a natural born talker
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Dont worry mama.
DD however started saying words as early as 12 months old. She speaks in 3 or 4 word sentences by now (she just turned 2). It amazes me every day. Today she counted and started singing the ABC (she didn't make it past the F tough
Dont worry mama.
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Yes, it's so cool!
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Though he is my first so I don't really know any different. But he's always been ultra-high-needs... I seriously think I'd shoot myself in the head if he couldn't talk to me. Even with his excellent communication it's still hard to keep him happy!
Originally Posted by T-man's Mama  Thank you for all the replies! Crunchy Mommy, that is *amazing* that your son had hundreds of words at this age! I can't imagine how surreal that would feel to carry on conversations with an 18 month old. |
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we sat down and wrote out all of DS's words at about 17 months and he had around 150, plus a few signs. His ped was also surprised at his 18 month WBV and said that he was pretty advanced verbally. There really is a wide range of normal at this age.
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Now at almost 2, he has probably 300-400+ words and speaks in 5-7 word sentences, and speaks very clearly. Most of his other "friends" the same age are not doing that, so I don't see my DS as the norm.. and I have to remember this when my DS2 gets this age if he is not talking as much!
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Originally Posted by T-man's Mama Thank you for all the replies! Crunchy Mommy, that is *amazing* that your son had hundreds of words at this age! I can't imagine how surreal that would feel to carry on conversations with an 18 month old. But I do have a friend whose DD also has an extensive vocabulary at this age. I do agree that DS is probably using words sometimes that I am just not picking up on. Also, I wasn't sure whether to count signs as "words" -- I mean, they serve the same purpose! At any rate, he's probably doing just fine.
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Good to know. Thanks!!
Originally Posted by c'est moi my ped said she's only concerned if there's less than 3 words at the 18-month appointment. signs and made up, but consistently used words count too! |
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