Im not a parent, but have a question..

My nephew is 16 months and my sister is a bit concerned because he really does not have any "words" yet.
He does "babble"..
Please
Thank You
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and calls my father "Paaa"! (for Grandpa)

What age should my sister really be concerned about his language. I work with the same age group and told her most of my kids are still in the "babbling" stages as well.
If you have a child around this age, or older, when did they start speaking words clearly?
TY so much for all your help and input!

Message edited 3/14/2006 10:45:59 AM.

Re: Im not a parent, but have a question..

He seems to be okay and on track. I wouldn't be concerned unless he wasn't saying ANYTHING at all. Their real words usually kick up a notch around 18-22 months and even then you really can't understand them sometimes. lol

Re: Im not a parent, but have a question..

I always thought my son was a bit behind with talking - he babbled early on and said words here and there. He started to really talk when he was like 2 1/2 - 3 years old - but he immediatly was talking in sentences! Its like he was holding it all in until he could get his thought out.

Re: Im not a parent, but have a question..

If she's concerned, tell her to contact her school district. School districts (younger than 3, it's the county) will evaluate children for any speech, physical, behavioral, etc.

I had an evaluation done for Joseph (not for speech, behavioral). It gave me the piece of mind I needed -- ok I was also interested in his IQ

My kids tended to be very verbal so I'm really not sure what average would be. By 15 months, my mother wrote down a list of over 50 words that Joseph said clearly & knew what they meant (ie. lasagna, the types of fish in our tank, etc). I do know the pediatrician said at 2 years old, an adult(stranger - not someone who knows him/her) should be able to understand 40% of what your child says.

Re: Im not a parent, but have a question..

When a parent is concerned then they should have the issues investigated fully. Some people just say "kids will talk when they talk" but I believe if a mother feels that something could be wrong it is better to figure out if there is reason to be concerned. It could be a hearing problem that is super easily solved or it could be nothing at all, or it could be something that needs more advanced help..but at least you know what your child needs.