When your child is a late talker

Most children say their first word between the ages of 10 and 16 months and can form short sentences by age 2. However, it’s also normal for children to start talking a bit later.

Why isn’t my child talking yet?

Before they can express themselves using language, children need to learn the basics of communication, such as making eye contact, making sounds in response to people talking to them, and pointing to the things they want. They also learn to understand many words before saying any themselves. That said, some kids simply need more time than others to start talking, just as some need more time to start walking.

In some cases, they may not feel as much urgency to talk, especially if they have older siblings who are content to speak for them. Others may be less inclined to talk because their parents already meet their needs without their having to speak up.

Being a late talker doesn’t necessarily mean a child will have inferior language skills. About half of all children who speak very little at age 2 will catch up to their peers by the age of 4 or 5. The other half, or 7.5 percent of all children, will develop persistent language difficulties.

How to encourage your child to start talking

• Speak to your child whenever you’re together. Every day, talk about what you’re doing and what they’re doing, and name any objects they show an interest in.
• Give them your full attention when they speak. Place yourself at your child’s height so that you can look them in the eye when they speak. Pay attention to all of their attempts to communicate, including any gestures or smiles.
• Put words to your child’s intentions and non-verbal communications. For example, if they point to a toy that interests them, say “Oh, the bright yellow car!”
• Incorporate pauses and don’t speak too quickly when addressing your child. This gives them time to understand what you’re saying and, most importantly, the opportunity to respond.
• Don’t anticipate your child’s needs. Let them ask you for an object or tell you whether they want to continue eating or playing.
• Create opportunities for your child to ask for things using a gesture, a sound, a word, or a combination of words. Try starting a fun activity, like blowing soap bubbles, then pausing to see how your little one reacts. If they make a facial expression or sounds that indicate they want more, respond by saying “More bubbles?”
• Guess what your child is trying to say through their gestures and sounds so that you can put the idea into words.
• Imitate the gestures, sounds, and noises they make to show that you’re interested in what they’re trying to communicate.
• Make noises yourself (e.g., mimic the sounds that animals or vehicles make). Your child may want to follow your lead. Once they get into the habit of imitating sounds, they’ll want to imitate your words, too.
• Be expressive, vary the tone of your voice, and speak a little higher than usual. It’s been shown that talking to a young child in this way keeps them more engaged.
• Use gestures to help them understand new words. You can stop making the gestures once your child has learned the words.
• Follow your child’s lead when you’re playing together, and name the objects you play with. Pay attention to what interests them most, because those are the things they’ll want to name first.
• Emphasize important words and phrases, enunciating clearly so your child can understand.
• Ask your little one simple questions that can be answered with a gesture or a word, such as “Where?” or “Who?”
• Sing snippets of nursery rhymes or tell parts of a story your child knows well. Stop occasionally before a familiar word to give them a chance to say it.
• Read them children’s books often.
• Try not to show frustration if they cry or whine when trying to express themself, even if it’s difficult. Instead, put into words what they are trying to communicate.

When should you consult a professional?

If you’re concerned about your child’s language development, regardless of their age, if they don’t use gestures such as pointing to communicate, or if they seem to have trouble understanding you when you speak to them, don’t hesitate to talk to your child’s doctor about it. You can also contact the Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec to find a speech-language pathologist in your area.

Some children are slow to speak because of hearing loss. An audiological evaluation can uncover any issues with your child’s hearing.

Things to keep in mind

• Some children take longer to start talking or are less talkative than other children their age. Up to age 2, there can be significant variation from one child to the next.
• If a child doesn’t speak or speaks very little, they should still be making an attempt to communicate and understand small words or simple instructions.
• Many young children who are late talkers simply don’t feel the need to speak. A good way to prevent this is to avoid over-anticipating your child’s needs.

Scientific review: Agathe Tupula Kabola, speech therapist Research and copywriting: The Naître et grandir team Updated: June 2024

Photo: iStock.com/Jennifer_Sharp