What did you say?

[talon]

I was just wondering if anyone could give me some information on HOW their child started to talk?

- Was it very unclear to begin with (you didn't really understand what they were saying)?

- If it starts off unclear, how long did it take for a word to become clearer?

- What about "TH" as in when they say a word like "there" - was that hard to accomplish at first or did they just master that sort of speech straight away?

- Does anyone know any good speech development books that give a good understanding (but more detailed then the stuff on the internet) of what they should be able to say at certain stages?

My son "talks" a lot, but most of it I can't understand BUT I know he is asking me something as he says it in the tone of a question - IYKWIM :rolleyes:

I am a bit worried that he won't get any clearer with his speech but because he is my first I don't know if this is normal and it is a process where he becomes clearer and clearer gradually or if he is supposed to just come out with a word one day REALLY clearly.

Thanks for your help. :)

[the_queen]

Most kids still have some form of "speech impediment" at the age of 5. Your son actually sounds really normal, perhaps even advanced!! I don't know of any books, I just know from experience with kids that most kids are completely normal, and most speech oddities will sort themselves out in the first year of school. Like saying "d" sound for "th", or "w" sound for "r" etc. The most important thing is that you speak to him all day long, and that you speak correctly. He will learn from you. There's no real need to correct him as such, just repeat back to him what he said (but obviously you say it correctly - ie he says "mumma over dare" and you reply "yes, over there".

His vocab will take off so fast, it's amazing, I love this age when they start talking!! Now you have to also watch your language LOL one of my daughters first understandable words was "fuxake"which she learnt from me being frustrated with other drivers on the road :o

[the_queen]

My post was a bit unclear - I mean to say that your son is right at the beginning of speech, he sounds totally normal and the fact that he has the right intonation (ie sounds like a question, even though the words are not understandable) means that he picks things up quickly. So keep talking to him and he'll start talking back very soon. It's normal for them to be talking gibberish for a while, but eventually you will be able to understand him. And by the time he's finished his first year at school he will definitely be speaking fairly well perfectly.

[talon]

Now you have to also watch your language LOL one of my daughters first understandable words was "fuxake"which she learnt from me being frustrated with other drivers on the road :o

PMSL Queenie! Thanks for the giggle :D That's pretty funny although probably not for you on social outings! LOL.

[the_queen]

LOL yeah and something else, when I stopped swearing I started using the word "cr@p" instead of other words, and when she was 2, she was rubbing her eye and my mum said "Vallerie is something wrong?" and she replied "no gwammy, i just got some cwap in my eye" :laughing:

[Chickadee]

I agree with TheQueen's advice. When my DD started talking it was very similar to what you're describing with your son. Repeat back to them what they've said, and even if you don't understand it just make a guess and repeat it back. You might be able to guess based on the activity you're doing, something he's looking at, etc. First words and phrases are likely to be copies of things that you say to him regularly and related to your daily routines, so that might help you guess too. If you think he's asking for something but not sure what, you could try asking him to show you.

My DD is nearly 3 and some words/phrases are still unclear. I understand her better than her DH because I hear her talking more. But you'll find that his pronounciation improves fairly quickly, and his vocabulary will expand very quickly if you keep talking (& reading) to him.

I don't know of any books, sorry.

[talon]

thanks for your responses gals! I am feeling a little less worried about it. Sometimes I just need that little extra detail that you include in your replies to feel like I got the information I was after. So thank you! :thumbsup:

[Mother Duck]

Aww The Queen - ROFLOL - I love it!

My DH calls me 'Potty Mouth' - I'm trying to curb it though!

Kriscee - not so much for your older bub but for t'other one - I use sign with DD and it is amazing how much this has helped her actual speech - it is flabbergasting how much she can say and I am quite sure it is from the sign.

I aggree with the prev comments though, they just do it all at their own pace.

M is still insisting that I feed her when I know other kids her age don't need help, I think to myself 'it's not as if she won't know how to do it one day!" - She won't be 20 and asking someone to spoon feed her (hopefully!) so whenever she is ready.

Hope this makes sense