Is this normal speech for DD's age?

DD will be 21 months soon. She says Mama and Dada and JoJo (our dog), mouse. The majority of her words are like this: she says side (for outside), nana (for banana), etc. etc.....if I count those she has a lot of words, but there are very few words she pronounces correctly...she will always shorten a word. She babbles all day long and says a variety of different sounds and consonants.

I'm just wondering if she is behind or if this is normal? Thanks.

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

I know alot of girls on here call EI services at 18 months if they feel DC is behind in speech. The good thing, your DD does say words. Have you talked to your ped about your concern? I have heard great results from EI services and it may not be a bad idea to give them a call and see what they suggest. My son was a very early talker, at 21 months he was speaking in full sentences. My girlfriends daughter is thesame age and she was saying very few words. They are now both 2 1/2 and she is at the same speaking level as him,,,so they eventually do catch up.

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

If you point to a picture, can she say what it is? Like a banana (does she say nana)? I don't think at this age you can expect them to speak to perfection. My son talks alot....says really long sentences, and answers my questions...

but he still says nana for banana and stuff like that...he doesn't pronounce everything perfectly....I think its ok...but I'm curious to see what others will respond...

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

That sounds normal to me. I think they look for proper articulation at 3.

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

dd did that alot between ages 18-20 months

she use to say "mote" for remote, "nana" for banana, etc

I think it is totally normal

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

i'm a speech therapist, and that sounds totally normal for her age. i think the important thing is that she is using words to communicate, and that the words are consistent ( like "nana" always means "banana", and she doesn't just say "nana" for everything). at this age, what i would do is NOT correct her or make her say it again correctly... BUT, when she says "nana", say "oh BAnana" (kind of emphasizing the part she left out). This helps her hear the word correctly, and provides a good model. eventually she'll catch on

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

DS is 19 months old and he says a lot of words, but like your DC he doesnt pronounce most of them correctly.
I havent been concerned about it...I actually thought it was normal??
I too am curious to see what others wil respond.

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

DD has been in speech for a while now and her therapist told me that word approximations at this age are perfectly normal. If you are concerned, I have a GREAT speech office that I use in Summit. I love them!

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

DS is 18 mos but, I will answer b/c I asked the ped about this at his last visit - DS says a ton of words but, at least half of them are his own variations - like for grandpa he says "b-pa" since the "g" sound is har for him - for noggin he says "nammin" - avocado is "cado" and tomato is "tato", please is "pease" and the list goes on and on - he does have a number of words he says very clearly but a lot of his words are like this. The ped said that this is TOTALLY normal at this age and that even at 2 years old only 50% of their words should be recognizable - he said not until 3 would most of the words be like ours... HTH!

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

Totally normal, Alicia!!! Cailen is 23 months and there literally is a difference in his pronunciation and length of his words daily.

Treat it as if she is saying the word, and just repeat in naturally. If she says "nana" for banana, for example, just say "Sure - here is Banana!"

Now Cailen is starting to see the difference in what he says and how it sounds. Like, when he wants a bath - he will say "back" and I will say "you want a bath?" and then he will say "Yes - BaT" like he is trying to correct himself - he does it for everything and it is so cute!!!

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

Thanks so much everyone. You've all made me feel much better about DD...sounds like she is pretty normal.

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

Kaitee was the same way at that age. Once she turned 2 her speach improved like crazy

Re: Is this normal speech for DD's age?

DS is 22 months and says a variety of words but they are not the full words

ex "monster" is "mon"

"fish" is "ishee"

The Dr said not to worry