When Do Gifted Children Start to Talk?

The answer to that question is that gifted children can start to talk quite early -- before nine months -- or quite late -- after twenty-four months. Those who start early amaze their parents, while those who start late cause their parents to worry. In general, children should be speaking by the time they are two, but it's not unusual for gifted children to start later. The story in our family is that my father didn't talk until he was five and then never stopped!

Gifted children who start talking late often begin to speak in complete sentences rather than single words. Of course, knowing that doesn't stop parents from worrying. More than one parent has reported sneaking up behind their child and making a loud noise in order to determine if the child's hearing was okay. If you are worried about your child not speaking at twenty-four months or older, you might want to check with your pediatrician.

Poll: When did your child begin to speak?

• Between nine and twelve months old
• Between thirteen and eighteen months old
• Between nineteen and twenty-four months old
• After the age of two
• After the age of two, and spoke in complete sentences

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