As with most milestones, S&Z have been taking their sweet time when it comes to language development. I've tried to relax about it because one (of the many) things they have taught me over the last year is that they will eventually meet all the milestones and they will do it on their own schedule. Not when their friends do it, not on each other's schedule, and definitely not when the books say it will happen. I have exerted a lot of mental energy worrying about these things, and I've finally decided that it's really not necessary.
As expected, their receptive language has skyrocketed over the last several months. I can now ask them to do things that involve getting something from another room, and most of the time (if they are so inclined) they will carry out the request. They are learning the names of, and pointing to, various body parts ('belly' is the current favorite for both of them). They are producing more animal sounds - they have a specific high-pitched sound they both make for cat, and Silas said 'meow' for the first time earlier this week. They say 'woof-woof' for dog, Silas surprised me with a 'moo' yesterday while playing with a new farm toy, and they do 'o-o-ah-ah' for monkey. Both kids say 'mama', 'dada', 'dis' (this) and 'dat' (that). Zoe had 'baby' and 'hi' around Christmas, but she doesn't consistently use them. I'm pretty sure she's been saying 'Ivy' (learned from her friend, Sydney, referring to Sydney's twin sister), and she started saying what sounds like her name this week ('o-e'). Both Silas & Zoe babble and jargon and gesture a ton, and I've just been biding my time for the words to start flowing.
Because of the overall snail's pace of formal word production, I was a little floored with Zoe's word selection of the day. I had to work this morning, so Grandma Dutra came by to give Derek a hand. She ended up taking the kids out for a walk, and Zoe said 'outside' as they were getting their coats and shoes on. Joanne & Derek told me this story when I got home from work, and I didn't think too much of it since I didn't hear it myself. Until I took them over to Sydney & Ivy's house for a late afternoon playdate, that is. I unloaded Zoe from the car and she said 'outside, outside, outside' over and over on our way into Wendy's house. When it was time to leave, even though she was in her pj's and ready for bed, she waved goodbye to everyone and pointed to the door, 'outside, outside' she said. I almost started crying.
You know it's been a long winter when the kid has < 10 words and one of them is OUTSIDE...
As expected, their receptive language has skyrocketed over the last several months. I can now ask them to do things that involve getting something from another room, and most of the time (if they are so inclined) they will carry out the request. They are learning the names of, and pointing to, various body parts ('belly' is the current favorite for both of them). They are producing more animal sounds - they have a specific high-pitched sound they both make for cat, and Silas said 'meow' for the first time earlier this week. They say 'woof-woof' for dog, Silas surprised me with a 'moo' yesterday while playing with a new farm toy, and they do 'o-o-ah-ah' for monkey. Both kids say 'mama', 'dada', 'dis' (this) and 'dat' (that). Zoe had 'baby' and 'hi' around Christmas, but she doesn't consistently use them. I'm pretty sure she's been saying 'Ivy' (learned from her friend, Sydney, referring to Sydney's twin sister), and she started saying what sounds like her name this week ('o-e'). Both Silas & Zoe babble and jargon and gesture a ton, and I've just been biding my time for the words to start flowing.
Because of the overall snail's pace of formal word production, I was a little floored with Zoe's word selection of the day. I had to work this morning, so Grandma Dutra came by to give Derek a hand. She ended up taking the kids out for a walk, and Zoe said 'outside' as they were getting their coats and shoes on. Joanne & Derek told me this story when I got home from work, and I didn't think too much of it since I didn't hear it myself. Until I took them over to Sydney & Ivy's house for a late afternoon playdate, that is. I unloaded Zoe from the car and she said 'outside, outside, outside' over and over on our way into Wendy's house. When it was time to leave, even though she was in her pj's and ready for bed, she waved goodbye to everyone and pointed to the door, 'outside, outside' she said. I almost started crying.
You know it's been a long winter when the kid has < 10 words and one of them is OUTSIDE...
I'm dying to hear them talk! We need to skype again soon. I love you guys!
ReplyDeleteSee, now you made me cry!
ReplyDeleteWe're back from our marathon...hope to see you all soon!