As a mother, you may have encountered situations at the park, library, or grocery store where you observe other toddlers around your child’s age engaging in conversation. You listen intently, wondering if their verbal skills surpass those of your own little one. You might find yourself chatting with other parents, cautiously steering the dialogue toward the developmental milestones of their children, secretly hoping they have an older toddler who is already forming sentences — unlike your own child, who has yet to utter a word.
In many cases, toddlers develop their verbal skills by this age, and it’s common to feel the weight of comparison as you realize your child remains silent. This situation resonates deeply with me. My 23-month-old daughter, Sophie, is brimming with energy, curiosity, and affection. Living in a small town, our social interactions with other children come from community events like church and the local library. During a recent visit to my mother’s house, we were surrounded by toddlers who were all expressing themselves vocally.
Everywhere I turned, I was reminded of the words echoing from other children. At the playground, they shouted phrases like “Look at me! Slide!” During story time, they eagerly responded to the librarian’s questions. On our nature walks, they pointed out things they observed, exclaiming, “Water!” At the children’s museum, I heard them assert “Mine!” while playing with toys.
With each word spoken by others, I felt the silence surrounding my daughter even more acutely. As my mother often reminds me, infants and toddlers don’t adhere to parenting books or developmental timelines. They progress at their own pace. For instance, Sophie didn’t crawl until she turned one, a milestone that felt like an eternity, especially when scrolling through social media and witnessing friends’ babies racing around.
Now, the absence of her words feels more personal, drawing out feelings of guilt. As a mother who cherishes language and storytelling, I find myself questioning whether I should have read more bedtime stories, introduced sign language earlier, or engaged her in more developmental activities. This internal dialogue can be overwhelming, and I sometimes forget to truly observe and appreciate Sophie right in front of me.
In focusing on her lack of verbal expression, I overlook the remarkable qualities she exhibits. While it’s challenging, I long for her to speak and to hear her call me “Mama.” I yearn to understand how she perceives the world around her.
Yet, even in her silence, there is so much I can witness: her tender affection for our dog, her eagerness to explore books each morning, her delight in turning pages and laughing, and her enthusiastic participation during story time. I see her reaching out to embrace other toddlers, folding her hands to pray, and eagerly rushing to the garden with me. I observe her joy in picking cherry tomatoes from our plants and cheering for her father during church services.
Recognizing these moments allows me to shift my perspective. Rather than fixating on her verbal milestones, I open my eyes to the beautiful and unique expressions of her personality. I still find myself curious about the ages and words of other children and await the day when Sophie speaks. However, until that moment arrives, I will continue to cherish every interaction and discovery we share.
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In summary, the journey of parenting a toddler who hasn’t begun to talk can be filled with challenges and self-doubt. However, it’s crucial to recognize and celebrate the many ways your child is engaging with the world around them, fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation along the way.
Keyphrase: navigating toddler development
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