Luke barely spoke until he was 2 1/2. That is when he went to daycare part of the day so that I could go back to school. I think a large part of the problem was that he didn't feel the need to talk, since he could get whatever he wanted with minimal talking/sounds. I could understand him, so he continued. He was only able to be understood by Mom and Dad. When he was 4, we put him into speech classes through the local school district. When he started kindergarten, he continued. A new speech teacher as well as his wonderful kindergarten teacher have helped him so much! Since Christmas or so, he has leaped forward amazingly. Most of the sounds he has trouble with now are the ones that are expected for his age. He is able to be understood by most of the people we are around, now. I rarely have to translate for him. (Sometimes, I wish people couldn't understand when he is being rude. We are still working on manners and when it is or isn't appropriate to say something.)Now, Luke wants to talk constantly. He has a favorite toy. It is an action figure of a stormtrooper. He has loved it for over a year. He tells stories about it all the time. It is hard to get him to stop. He has a wonderful imagination and also involves any story, movie or game he comes in contact with, in his tales.
I just feel really bad that I get tired of hearing the same things over and over. I love to talk to him and see what he is thinking and feeling. The Stormtrooper stories are harder to listen to all day...
I am trying to appreciate the fact that he has become a wonderful talker and that he has a wonderful imagination. I don't want to discourage him in anyway. But, it is really hard to listen to, "And then on my stormtrooper..." so many times everyday. We are going to work on turning his tales into a book with pictures for him to read. He is excited and I think it will be a lot of fun to do and really good for him. I'm trying to appreciate how far he has come and that we no longer have to worry about his speech. He is a great kid!
5 comments:
Wow, what wonderful progress he has made! Thanks for sharing your struggles with us. My three year old little guy has had some speech issues, too, and I am grateful for how far he has come.
I think creating a book and redirecting his new found freedom sounds like a great idea. Good luck!
(And don't be too hard on yourself for getting frustrated at all the stories. You are pregnant and moving and motherhood just sometimes gets hard. We have all been there!)
My second took forever to speak understandably and, like your son, now when he talks he seems to over do it. He has to tell me everything in exact detail. I try my best to show interest and encourage him, but I know that feeling of, "not again."
Oh, and my son would LOVE to read the Storm Trooper stories. =)
You'll just have to keep reminding yourself of his progress and endure the rest. I am currently enduring two chatting kids - and one who doesn't make any sense at all with his baby babble!
what a good idea with the book. I should do that with Elora, she never stops talking! I've known a lot of little boys who had issues learning to speak, I wonder if its just common for the gender?
I've heard it is more common for boys to be slower with speech than girls.
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