My DD is almost 17 months old now. Her vocabulary really doesn't seem to be growing. She says mama, dada, Hi and Kitty often. She points to items that she wants but really doesn't say much. Sometimes it sounds like she says Thank you when I hand her something and "See ya" when we leave places. But that's not very often. I know that there is a lot of variation with language development but was just curious as to what other kids this age are saying. Thanks.

By Emdee on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 - 09:35 pm:

My dd is a little over 15 months. All she says is mama, dada, and uh-oh. Everything else is "da" to refer to things and pointing. She doesn't even say hi or bye. Her ped said at this age normal speech is 3-5 words, so I can't be worried about her right now. I did start teaching her sign language (please, thank-you, more, done) and she caught on rather quickly. Once she learned the first word, it only took a few minutes for her to copy me signing something and then within the day she had the word down without me having to show her. So I figure if she is going to not say much I will just help her sign to catch on. Sorry I don't have more advice.

By My2cuties on Thursday, August 5, 2004 - 12:58 am:

Glad you asked this question, my 14 month old says, mama, dada, bye-bye, makes a "T" sound (for big sister), and uh-oh, she is trying to say words when we say them, If I say Bible she says, "Ba" so I was wondering the same question. I thought my oldest dd said more at this age, but I don't know now, maybe I will have to look in her baby book.

By Fraggle on Thursday, August 5, 2004 - 07:01 am:

My oldest daughter did not say much until she hit 18 months- I started keeping track of the words she could say right around then and within a few days I could not keep up. My youngest daughter did not use many words until she was 2. I'm a speech therapist so I was really concerned about my youngest at first, but she is 3 now and is doing fine with her speech development.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, August 5, 2004 - 07:25 am:

Neither of my kids started saying much until they were 18 mos. old. DS's vocabulary and speech exploded after that, and he was talking in very clear and concise sentences by 2. DD had a large vocabulary but I was concerned about her articulation. Everyone told me not to worry but my mommy instincts told me otherwise. We had her formally evaluated at 3 and my concerns were confirmed. She had articulation delays. She has been in speech therapy for 3 yrs. now and has made great strides! She has gone from a quiet leg clinger, because people couldn't understand her, to a chatty, social butterfly.

Lots of info here:

Speech and Language Development

By Kittycat_26 on Thursday, August 5, 2004 - 08:04 am:

Timmy didn't say but about 4 or 5 words until he was almost 2 years old. Now, you can't stop him. It was like a light switch. Our pediatrician said it was fine. He does this to me all the time. I think he practices in his room at night and wants to make it perfect before showing me what he can do.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, August 5, 2004 - 09:41 am:

Sarah didn't really "explode" until she was about 2-1/2. She said some words up until that point, but after Emily was born, all of a sudden she was talking up a storm. Emily was talking up a storm by 2.

By Feona on Friday, August 6, 2004 - 07:05 am:

She sounds fine to me. If you are really concerned then you can do an early intervention evaluation. (free - ask the ped how to get one)

By Kellyj on Friday, August 6, 2004 - 07:43 am:

Thank you everyone. I am not really at the point of concern. I was more curious as to what real kids (instead of what books say) are saying.