Speech Delay
Children learn language at different rates, but most follow a general timeline. As a rule of thumb, children should be able to say one word at about 1, two-word combinations at 18 months to 2 years and three-word sentences before turning 3. When speech specialists evaluate delayed speech, they care as much about a child’s understanding as they do about how much he speaks..
Heredity and temperament can make for a linguistic late bloomer, as can a parent’s anticipating a child’s every need rather than letting them speak for themselves. Boys often develop speech later than girls, though there’s usually only about a one- to two-month lag. Babies born early often take longer than others to reach milestones, but by age 2 they usually catch up to their peers. Children with chronic ear infections especially during the first year, when a child is starting to process language can result in poor hearing, and thus delayed speech.
Before the child reaches age 2, there’s wide variation in what’s considered normal. But some signs that may indicate they need help: At 1 year: They aren’t babbling or speaking in mock sentences at all and doesn’t seem to understand or respond when somebody talks. At 18 months: They haven’t said even one word.
The best time to get professional help is when the child is around 2 1/2—the age when late bloomers usually catch up. Language problems are addressed with speech therapy or by treating undiagnosed ear infections or hearing problems. Before age 2 1/2, listening to the parent voice is a great way to learn to talk, so reading aloud, singing songs and asking open-ended questions to invite conversation will help the child to develop his speech.