Rest assured that this won’t affect his ability to learn to talk.
If your toddler has been learning more than one language, he may get confused between the two, or tend to use one language more than the other. And whose heart hasn’t melted at the sound of their little one saying "pasgetti" instead of "spaghetti"? It's more important that he feels you understand what he’s trying to tell you. So if your toddler says "nana" when he wants a banana, you could say "Yes, here's a banana."ĭon't worry too much about how your toddler pronounces his words. Repeat back what you hear your toddler trying to say to you, even if he doesn't say it clearly. For example, "Yes, that's right, it is a spoon! Well done!" When he uses words, give him plenty of praise and let him know when he’s got it right. For example, if you want him to come to you, holding out your hand to him will help him realise what you mean when you say "come over here, please". Visual cues will also help your toddler to understand what you are saying to him. If you ask your toddler a question, leave a good pause to encourage him to respond. Point out things you see when you're out and about. Talk to him as you do everyday activities such as washing dishes or changing his nappy. Giving him plenty of opportunities to communicate with you is a great first step. There are lots of things you can do to encourage your toddler's speech. How can I encourage my 18-month-old to talk? This will sound like speech, because he'll use rhythm and vary how loudly he talks to convey meaning. While he plays, he'll babble to himself.He’ll also enjoy nursery rhymes and may even try to join in when you sing them. When you're reading a story with him, your toddler may recognise and point to objects and pictures in the book, if you prompt him.He may try to copy words that you say and gestures that you make. He will understand lots of single words, and perhaps some two-word phrases, such as "shoe on" or "give me".Your toddler should be able to follow simple instructions from you, such as "Pick up your teddy." He will hand you his teddy when you ask for it.This is a clear sign that he wants to communicate with you. When your toddler wants something, he'll point to it.It’s probably the case that he just isn't quite there yet, but if there is a problem, getting help earlier is a good idea.Īside from speaking words, there are plenty of other signs to look out for, that show your little one is eager to communicate: If your little one can say fewer than six words, speak to your health visitor or GP for advice. Ideally, by 18 months, your child should know between six and 20 words, and understand many more. If it takes your child a little longer than usual, it shouldn't affect how he develops later on. The age at which children learn to talk can vary widely.
Try not to worry if your toddler isn't talking much at 18 months.