Language Arts

It has been assessed that JD is behind in his language development. Although he uses jibberish in a banter manner, the development of his vocabulary and the spontaneous use of that vocabulary has been slow. Therefore, we have enrolled him in a preschool; one of the specialties of the school is language development.

Over the last few months, JD's vocabulary has increased dramatically. Before seventeen months, he barely said Mama and Dada. Now he uses around fifteen words spontaneously and probably has up to fifteen more words that he'll repeat. He's now nineteen months.

So what's the problem?

The problem is that he doesn't use his vocabulary to express himself. While he knows the words for milk and water, he doesn't use them when he's thirsty; instead, he'll whine and point, a skill for a 9-12 month old. He knows "all done" for being finished with his food, but will throw food from his tray or hit away any offerings for myself or his mother. While he knows the words up and down, he whines and sticks his arms out when he wants to be picked up.

He started to get better a couple of weeks ago, signing or saying "more" when he wanted more food or drink, saying "apple" when he wanted fruit, or "cookie" for cookie or cracker.

This week, he's reverted back several steps. He's being more aggressive when he's done with his food, is rejecting milk, and generally not using words and signs that had given him success.

The frustrating part is that I know what he wants, but don't want to give in too soon. But how soon is too soon? At what point does my frustration from his frustration actually lead to reversing his development? Certainly, I know that there is such thing as overdoing it. Usually, he'll get what he wants before total breakdown (his and mine.) But when it's something that I know he can do or say perfectly well, that I'm certain that he knows the answer, how do I give in?

These are some of the concerns that I will bring to his preschool teacher tomorrow morning. I'll update if I remember!