How Do I Help My 15 Month Old Learn Words?

"Focusing" on words? What? do you live in a completely talking-free house? ;)

That's kind of weird imo. Frankly, I'm surprised your ped brought it up this early since most won't even refer kids to speech therapy until well after 2 or 2 1/2 since most speech disorders cannot be diagnosed until after 3 in many cases. Keep in mind too, that if your child says a word only once, that counts too. I wouldn't worry about it yet unless you have other delays going on. I know some people are going to say, "call ECI", but she is so so so young. A lot can happen in just a few months time. Don't stress yet!

You're doing all the right things. Just keep doing what you're doing. Reading, talking, narrating what you're doing really helps. Also, sign language is also a great help and does not delay language development at all (quite the opposite). You might try introducing a few signs. Regarding Baby Einstein, there's no evidence that it does anything more than give the parents a break. Seriously. The CBC did a report and the head of the company said that they chose the name Einstein because he was such a great philanthropist (not scientist or smart guy, but that's the illusion it gives). Save your money unless you really want to introduce this. Never once when my son was in speech therapy were videos, much less Baby Einstein suggested.

Also, let's look at your question -- how does she learn words? What do you mean? Are we talking about understanding words? or just saying words? (Receptive vs expressive speech) Chances are she understands a great number of words and, for example, could point out things in a book. Have her do this (ie Show me the dog? the cat? the circle? etc.). Some kiddos, like mine did, sort of suck up all the information first and then take a while to actually say the words. That's perfectly normal and just a reflection of their learning style.

As the mother of a speech delayed child who spent a year in speech therapy, enjoy this time. Don't freak out yet. Seriously -- unless you think there's something else going on. Chances are she will talk before you know it. I'm not sure if you're involved in any playgroups, but you and your daughter might find that a good outlet as well.

Reading to her everyday will help alot and one of the best things to do is just to narrate what you are doing. "We are going in the car!" "first, we need to open the door!" "Let's put on your shoes!" These are just examples, but whenever you give her a toy, book, cup, foods, etc, tell her what they are and what we do with them. "Here are some peas...we are going to eat them!" It might sound corny, but repeating after adults is one of the first ways children learn new words. If she tries to say a word, encourage her and say the word back to her. If she asks for her milk(bop), say"would you like to drink some milk? You must be thirsty!" You may find yourself talking all day, but it will encourage her to want to speak and she will realize that using the words mommy uses, will get her what she wants or needs a lot easier. I am not sure the Baby Einstien videos are a great idea, because I have read that any form of tv actually delays verbal skills, but I am not sure. I would recommend lots of talking and LOTS of reading to her, instead. Good luck!

My 21 month old only says a handful of words and I'm not concerned in the least. He will learn at his own pace and so will your daughter. Give her more time. I don't believe in parking a child in front of the TV, but my oldest has learned a ton of words from watching educational shows on PBS and Noggin. A few shows a day isn't going to hurt any child and it can teach them things in a fun way. Of course, reading and talking to your daughter is the best way for her to learn to communicate, but some educational videos or a TV show or two might help, too. Good luck!!!

Truthfully, I would first tell you not to worry at all! One thing to also consider is how she responds to verbal commands. Can she get a toy you ask for or come sit down for a meal when you tell her?? That means that she is understanding language very well, and if she is at all a "perfectionist" of sorts, she may not talk until she feels like she will be really good at it. That said, one thing that may surprise people is to teach her sign language. Of course, we always speak and sign at the same time, but sometimes the association of an action with a word stimulates their brain a bit more, and makes it easier to remember. I would strongly discourage the use of any educational video etc, but that is just because I always feel like mommy is the best teacher. While I cant promise that she is perfectly fine, I can all but guarantee it. I have 4 kids, and each one has spoken at a very different rate, but by 2-2.5, they are all the same! Good luck ~A.~

Hello Hilary,

I am a speech-language pathologist, and I am thrilled that you are concerned and aware enough to heed your docotor's advice.

I would suggest contacting ECI. They would offer you a clearer insight regarding ways to work with your child. May I suggest that you make it FUN!!! Children learn best when they are having fun, and when they are with someone they love -- so working directly with your child (even with the help of ECI or a speech-language pathologist) could be very beneficial.

Keep it simple - find books with similar themes (Up, dogs, bug, whatever is of interest). Also find toys (can be mom-made) that go with your selected word. Have fun, and she will be engaged, and learn a wonderful lesson -- that learning with Mommy is fun . . . you'll appreciate the benfits later - once she starts to get homework (... which may not be such fun : ))

Good luck!
S.

I went out and bought picture books with my first daughter(now 7 yrs old) and we read them a lot and she started picking up words quickly.
I think your daughter is just fine for 15 month old. Don't let the doctor make you feel bad or worry. Before you know it she will talking up a storm.
Good Luck!

If she says a few words, can respond to commands or look at something you are describing and is jargoning (jumbled nonsense kind of talking in a conversational style), I wouldn't worry. A friend of mines little girl wasn't saying much by age 2, but would stand by the fridge if she was thirsty, by the pantry if she was hungry, pat on the TV if she wanted it on, etc. She is now 3 and talks up a storm. Reading to your daughter is great, looking at picture books and just lots of talking and labeling on your part. You will feel silly sometimes, but just tell her what you are doing in clear simple words with not a lot of baby talk. I have a 20 month old, and we count out scoops of formula, describe what we are taking out of the dishwasher, what we are looking for at the grocery store, etc. Also, don't panic! With my first, I would be worried if she confused red and orange and was convinced she was color blind (she's not). Just talk to her and play with her and give her a little time.

One thing that really seemed to help my dd was first word flash cards. I bought some of the chunky kind that she couldn't tear up as easily and started going through them once or twice a day as a game. I would show her the card and name the picture on it and she would take the card and put it in a basket. Before long she started naming the cards too. Good luck and don't worry (I know, easier said than done)!

I understand about the no TV thing. BUT.... my niece is the smartest little girl I have ever been around. She is 14 months and chatty as can be, at the perfect times. Noggin is a channel that has the most educational shows. You can buy DVDs of the shows. Yo Gabba Gabba and Wa Wa Wubsy is what helped her become as smart as she is. They seem very weird at first, but Yo Gabba Gabba helps with everything and has songs to go with it. Please and thank you, 'try it, you'll like it' when it comes to snacks, it addresses when you feel kind of scared taking a nap. They are just awesome shows. You will get into the songs and end up singing along with her. She will love both of those shows. I'm not saying that is the only thing that she needs to do with her day. Don't believe in the TV being the parent!!
I think these shows teach our kids basics in a way that we just can't. Unless you have tons of costumes, bands, and puppets lying around!!
Hope it helps!

You sound so worried about what people may say. Please have confidence in yourself and your daughter! You are doing fine. My girl turns 15 months next week and we are in the same position as you. In fact, she only says dada, mama, and bye bye. With my son, we used the "Your Baby Can Read" DVDs. We didn't use the flashcards or actually try to teach him to read, but they did help tremendously with vocabulary. I think I am going to have to start them with my daughter. (It's much harder to get her the one on one time with a 3 year old around too.) I didn't feel Baby Einstein helped much though. Other than that, just do lots of reading and talk to her a lot. Remember to narrarate your day with her. Talk to her in the grocery store, and doing housework.... everything. Even read your magazines, newspapers, and such to her. My kids hear all the TV Guide gossip :) Good luck - and don't worry!