I did mention it in a reply to Denise’s comment but thought I’d just mention that after writing the last post I did a bit of research on the internet. All the articles I could find mentioned that it is the receptive language that is the important one and it should be apparent at about 8 months of age. At that age they should begin to understand some of what is said to them and gradually their receptive language expands until they start to carry out simple tasks and understand more and more of what is said. Ava definitely understands a lot. I just asked her to go and give a book to Joyce and off she went to find Joyce and gave her the book.
Expressive language is the one that varies so much from one child to another and the range of this startiing is anywhere from 6 months to 2 years and when it starts is no indication of the child’s intelligence. I do believe that any child that begins to speak at 6 months probably does have a fairly high IQ. I’m not too bothered about IQ’s, I think being highly intelligent is not always a good thing and doesn’t really guarantee one’s success in life. At the end of the day one just wants them to be happy (and healthy).
Don’t really want to mention people on this blog but Daryl’s comment makes me realise just how ironic things are. Somewhere she’d mentioned that Dylan had pointed to his nose and this is what I’d mentioned in a discussion with Chris. I’d told him that Dylan (who’ve we’ve both been lucky enough to meet) who is only a month older than Ava, already knows his body parts and can point to them. He’d started doing this a while ago already I told him and Ava is absolutely clueless, she still can’t point to a light or any of the usual things they start to point to. In turns out that D’s mom is also worried about him and his lack of speech. You just can’t please us moms, these poor kids of ours, we’re never satisfied.
You probably think I’m one of those competitive types that always wants to win. I am, I admit, but I’m actually not like that when it comes to my kids. I was just a little concerned as at the back of my mind I do wonder whether there aren’t any lasting effects from being frozen as an embryo. It’s odd, the IVF part doesn’t really bother me but the fact that Ava was frozen bugs me a little. I mean it’s just a bit much for my brain to take on board. The cells in our body are all so inter-connected and in such a fine balance. The seemingly smallest thing can go wrong (like one extra or one less chromosome) and the effect is huge, so my brain keeps telling me that surely the freezing must have some effect on them. I know all the studies say otherwise and I must stop worrying but it’s hard. Despite her lack of speaking, mini-tantrums and general naughty streak, she is the most lovable child and her big fat tummy just makes her all the more cuddly. Her latest trick is trying to go up and down steps normally (not turning around and going down feet first on all fours). Up she can get right if the step isn’t too high but down she stills falls unless it’s very low. It’s hilarious to watch as she stands at the top with an evil grin on her face, steps down, falls over and starts laughing, only to climb up and do it all over again. What a card.
Zamom's Blog 
August 10, 2010 at 11:47 am |
You see, we really have to stop comparing. Dylan now refuses to point to or acknowledge any of his body parts. I know he knows them (well at least some of them), but he will not point to anything of his or mine for that matter. At least with only 1 child I can only compare him to other kids, but I understand how hard it must be to not compare one child to the other. It is so hard to acknowledge that do what we might, these children will have their own personality and do things their own way, and most importantly in their own time.
It’s driving me batty though as well. I mean he won’t even say ta for heavens sake. How hard can that be? I just have to laugh at myself sometimes, and take a deep breath. A friend just lent me a book on What to expect in the toddler years, and now I’m stressing because it says that by 17 months (from month 16) he should be able to sip from a cup. Well Dylan messes far more than what goes in his mouth, and mostly wants to hold the cup upside down. I really must stop reading all these books.
August 10, 2010 at 7:37 pm |
I agree 100% about sipping from a cup. It’s only recently that I allow Zoe to drink from a cup as they forget so easily they’re holding a cup and then tip it over or knock it over or Ava grabs it. The sister at the clinic asked me if Ava can tell me what she wants and obviously she can by gesturing towards whatever she wants and going, “UH UH UH” until I give it to her. The sister was implying that I don’t just give it to her but make her ask for it. I have tried telling her to say Ta first or name the object or even say Ta when she wants to be picked up or whatever. It does not work. She just gets very, very cross and I can’t see that method working with her so she’ll just continue to go”UH UH UH” and be given whatever it is that she wants!