As a child makes the transition from baby to toddler, the sounds that she made become words, and the words become sentences. Some toddlers seem to pick up language with no problem at all, while others seem to take longer. Most of the time, taking a little longer is nothing to worry about. Sometimes, however, it can signal a problem. If you have been taking your child to her pediatrician regularly, she has probably been monitoring your child's speech development. Discuss any concerns with her and see if a referral to a specialist is warranted.
Normal Speech
During the toddler years, it is common for children to make mistakes and confuse sounds as they try to work the muscles in their mouths properly. For example, it isn't unusual for a child to say "baf" instead of "bath," or "wawa" instead of "water." As your child grows, his mastery of his facial muscles, as well as his aural perception, will improve. He may continue to mispronounce words, though until he is as old as 6.
Speech Delay
Perhaps the most worrisome speech problem with a toddler is that of late, or delayed, speech. The Keep Kids healthy website states a child should have a vocabulary of more than 50 words by 16 to 24 months. At 26 to 32 months she should be able to converse with two or three short sentences at a time and be able to tell you the name and use for two separate objects by 29 to 34 months.
Some kids just take their time, but delayed speech can be a problem related to other issues, such as autism or a hearing difficulty. Other factors like large tonsils, allergies that cause congestion or having a sibling who does most of the talking can cause a delay.
If you are concerned about your child’s delayed speech, talk with her pediatrician. She may refer you to a specialist, who can do an evaluation. The specialist may be able to diagnose any physical problem and order speech therapy for your child. With the right diagnosis and speech therapy, many children can catch up to their age group well before starting school.
Regression
Speech regression occurs when a child stops using words he has used previously, halting his progression. Sometimes, he may even revert to using baby talk or words that he used when he was much younger. Reasons for regression can range from a hearing problem or an autism-spectrum disorder to simply wanting the treatment from family members he had when his vocabulary wasn't developed. This is something you should discuss with your child's doctor during a regular checkup.
Stuttering
Stuttering is typically a nervous reaction to stress, but it can often run along family lines. Most cases of stuttering rectify themselves as children gets older and talk more. Speech therapy can help your child overcome her stutter. Again, see your pediatrician and request a referral.
