Most toddlers master at least fifty spoken words by the end of the second year and can put two words together to form a short sentence, although there are differences among children. Even among those with normal hearing and intelligence, some don't talk much during the second year. Boys generally develop language skills more slowly than girls. Whenever your child begins to speak, his first few words probably will include the names of familiar people, his favorite possessions, and parts of his body. You may be the only person who understands these early words, since he'll omit or change certain sounds.
Delays in language are the most common types of developmental delay. One out of 5 children will learn to talk or use words later than other children their age. Some children will also show behavioral problems because they are frustrated when they can't express what they need or want. Simple speech delays are sometimes temporary. They may resolve on their own or with a little extra help from family. It's important to encourage your child to "talk" to you with gestures or sounds and for you to spend lots of time playing with, reading to, and talking with your infant or toddler. In some cases, your child may need more help from a trained professional, a speech and language therapist, to learn to communicate.
Helpful websites for more information about typical development:
http://www.healthychildren.org
http://www.cdc.gov/milestones
If you have concerns for your 0-3 year old child's development, please contact:
Calumet County Birth to 3: (920)849-1400
Outagamie County Birth to 3: (920)997-1484
Winnebago County Birth to 3: (920)236-4650
If you have concerns for your 3-5 year old child's development, please contact the appropriate school district listed below:
Appleton Area School District: (920)997-1399, ext. 6936
Greenville/Hortonville: (920)757-6971
Kaukauna (Tanner Elementary School): (920)766-6150
Kimberly: (920)788-7900
Little Chute (Little Chute Elementary School): (920)788-7610
Menasha (Banta Early Learning Center): (920)967-1417
Neenah (Taft Early Learning Center): (920)751-6980