20 month old - How many words?

engineer_amy

my mother was a childminder for many years and had lots of different children come through our house when I was growing up. I recall one little boy who was around three and his parents said he didn't talk much. He was an only child. He understood everything that was said though, but if you asked a question, he just responded by pointing or nodding.
Very soon he was talking as much as a normal 3 year old.
it became apparent that his parents were letting him act like this, and immediately providing whatever he was pointing at. But also not having conversations with him.


My mum involved him in conversations and awaited his response, also when he wanted something she wouldn't give it to him until he was asking for it, or at least making an attempt to form the words.


Also, at home it was just him and his parents. in my mums there were usually 3 or 4 other kids around, which meant he needed to make a sound otherwise he wouldn't be heard, and the kids had little conversations amongst themselves.


does she have any cousins or do your friends have kids at a similar age? some company around her own age may help the words to develop. But still she is only 20 months so give it a bit of time before getting too worried!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Never bothered counting. Most of them were preceded or followed by 'No', 'Mama' or 'Cat' anyhow.

The eldest didn't speak particularly clearly until she was six, the youngest was clear as a bell. Both went on to be perfectly articulate and intelligent individuals, just from being able to sit on the top of the freezer and chat with me as I cooked dinner.

As long as you speak clearly (and slow down if necessary), you'll be reinforcing how the words should sound. Assuming she can hear a sweet wrapper being unwrapped at a thousand paces, like most kids, at any rate.

meritaten

my cousin said about 5 words aged two - he went on to get a degree and a very good job.
vocabulary is NOT a good indicator of development in my view - because it is so variable. some kids natter away - others say little.

raven83

I wouldn't be too worried at this stage tbh, my oldest daughter was quite slow at talking, although she understood a lot, now she is 12 years old and doesn't shut up:rotfl: and has a fantastic vocabulary! Make the most of it I say