I second the "it takes two to talk" . It is a part of the "hanen" program.

I  have done the it takes two to talk program which was held by my sons speech therapist and it has done wonders.

My son has just turned three and is started using a lot of words (though he still has problems with the structure of his sentences ect)

It is amazing as 18 months ago he wouldnt even look at anyone.

The first thing that I would have checked is his hearing. If he has been prone to colds, runny nose, etc...he could have a hearing problem ( even without these symptoms, there can be slight hearing loss) Even a minor loss can make it diffiicult for children to acquire oral language skills. ( Australian Hearing do hearing checks.You can also get a referal from your Doc to an audiologist) Even if your child has had intermittent hearing loss, it can cause delays.

If there are no problems with his hearing, ( even if there is!) try singing lots of nursery rhymes...watch playschool TOGETHER and help him do the actions and sing the songs. Try lots of pointing to objects and items and saying the words and getting him to repeat. Make it a game. Try tricking him ( my little one loved it when I used to say  "it's a dog it must say miaow! "  or "look at that square, it's ...yellow"( when it was red)

Keep talking to him. As you go about your day, keep up a constant "infomercial" pause and encourage him to respond, repeat or ask a question. When he wants something, don't give it to him unless he tries to tell you - pointing doesn't count. If he points and can't say the word , say it for him ( make sure you are on eye level with him so he can watch your mouth, tounge and teeth) and ask him to say it for you. If he gets close, say yes and repaet it for him to hear again properly- make sure you are facing him so he can see your mouth when you say it. It doesn't matter if he can't quite get it each time he tries, he is getting closer. At least he is trying and getting closer each time he practices.

Looking at books together and identifying items in pictures are great ( agsin make sure he listens, tries and then you repeat it again. If there are specific sound groups he is having trouble hearing or pronouncing, there are specific activities and exercises to do. A speech therapist will certainly be able to give you this specific information.

Also, the other thing to keep in mind is that each child develops at their own pace and he may just be getting there at his own pace!

Good luck!!! Keep up the great work

Hi,,I know your frustration.My son will be 4 next month and will be starting speech therapy very soon.I have not been too concerned about his speech delay though.I really think that it is very common in these times with young children developing at later stages then many years ago.My daughter had the same speech delay and now she is 6 she won't stop talking.I find with my son if I can't understand what he is saying I tell him that I don't understand and ask him to show me what he is talking about I then try to get him to repeat what it is.beleieve me you are not alone in this dilemma,I find it extremely hard not to talk for my son especially when someone asks him his name ,he looks at me knowing that they won't understand him and I give in.i truly beleive in time things will correct themselves.I do not believe this issue of speech delay at this age is as concerning to a childs development as some experts suggest. I read somewhere that Mozart did not talk until he was 5yrs old.Maybe we have little genuises..GOOD LUCK

Ok.  I would stop answering for your son.  Give him the opportunity to do it himself or he will expect you to do it all the time.

Try getting some DVDs or CDs of childrens entertainment like the Wiggles or Play School or of just nursery Rhymes.  This is going to drive you nuts, but say them over and over with him.  Our 4 year old has been very slow and lazy with her speech but is no going along very well after trying Play School and Seaseme Street..

Another thing might be to learn basic sign language, something you can learn together and when you sign you say the words too.  Apparently, it is a very good method of getting through to a young child.

"It Takes Two to Talk" is a fantastic book that gives lots of information, tips and strategies on ways to encourage language.  We use it as our "curriculum" with many of toddlers and preschoolers that have speech and language delays.   It's a pretty expensive book, but maybe it is available at a local library or through the speech pathologist?  It is really one of the best out there :)

I must point out we didn't have this problem with our daughter her vocab was amazing very early.  But the child health nurse told me that it was probably the constant music that is on in our house/car.  There is always music on and I am always singing. 

She could actually sing along with songs before she could properly string a sentence together. 

This may help.

hello

my daughter is three and i dont answer for her if  someone asks her name i look at her and say what is your name and she will say caitlin . i also do a lot of pointing in books amd ask her what they are if she doesnt know i will say what it is and ask her to repeat it . it may not be clear but she will get there .

maybe do things like this for your son maybe get some flash cards they are great

belxxx

30 word that he usually uses or he just understands 30 words? Can your child communicate by pointing? can he understand instructions?

My son just turned 3 in March and is in preschool. In his class, there is one boy who reminds me of my son at 18 months. This boy doesn't talk either and mostly grunts and points at stuff.

Usually at this age, understands a whole lot. Have you gotten your child's hearing checked?

In my experience as a nanny, I found many kids don't have a large vocabulary at this age.  I think 30 words is pretty good!  However other mothers may disagree.  I know my cousin is 3 and having the same problem, and they are considering that he may have a form of autism, so look into this- but personally I wouldn't be too concerned just yet, he may just be taking his time.  If he has a dummy in his mouth all day this can also inhibit talking.  However also look into baby sign language- try googling it or ask your speech therapist.  Smple gestures can help himto communicate what he needs with you wi less tantrums and frustration.  And if you say the word at the same time as the gesture, this actualyl encourages him to talk and it becomes like a game.  Hope this helps