When you hear your child's daycare classmates or friends speaking up more often than she does, then you may wonder why she's not a Chatty Cathy. There are myriad explanations for speech delays. Here's what you need to know. By age 2, experts say children should say at least 50 words, but about 10 percent of toddlers are considered "late talkers." Many catch up on their own, and the reasons for the delay could include premature birth, twins - who have an "unspoken" language that may make language unnecessary, or sex. Boys tend to focus on and master one task at a time, while girls may try a few at once. Boys and preemies usually catch up to their peers. Toddlers who have "helpful" older siblings may be reticent to speak because they don't feel the need to communicate. A child who is a late talker may still communicate with body language, pointing or gesturing. But there are a few warning signs that something else may be going on.
If the child doesn't appear to understand you or doesn't interact well with you and others, then that could be a red flag that he's not hearing well. Persistent ear infections may have an effect on hearing as well. Late bloomers usually catch up by age 2 1/2, and this is the time to see a healthcare professional if not. Your pediatrician may refer you to a speech therapist, speech pathologist or ear, nose and throat specialist, depending on the problem. Usually problems resolve themselves on their own or with therapy. If you want to hear your child talk, then talk, sing and read aloud to your child. Give him a toy phone and allow him to imitate you as you make your own phone calls. Ask open-ended, non-"yes or no" questions to get the child talking, and exercise his oral muscles by encouraging him to blow bubbles or make funny faces. The more talk he hears, the more he's going to want to get in on the action.