Some parents may be expecting their baby to sing and dance by the age of 1. It is highly unlikely that will be the case. Indeed, some babies don't even start talking under they are two or three. Of course, being a parent, you might wonder why that is?

It is a good question and some psychologists may argue that it can be down to parental behaviour, for example; if everytime the baby/ toddler wants something, if it has learnt that crying gets what it wants, it will cry. So if you are wondering why your baby has not said 'mumma' or 'dadda' yet, it is because perhaps, the baby is being overly smothered. Smothered in an 'attention' sense of course.

So the question then evolves, how do you know the difference between 'real' crying and 'fake' crying? As the parents of that baby, one would hope that you noticed the child's behaviour, understand its personality and most of all having spent plenty of hours a week looking after it, you should be able to identify the tell tale signs of when baby is unwell and baby is secretly just playing for attention. Now we say 'baby' but the reality is toddlers tend to start saying words first, i.e. from around one to two years old. Although in some cases it can be much later, if it is try not to worry, especially if the child is in good health, it may then be just a case of parental guidance?

Of course, most parents do not like the prospect or idea of their child crying. It makes them wonder what they have done wrong. Some parents find that come their second or third child, they are less 'sensitive' to the baby cries.

Perhaps, if your baby has not started speaking yet, then consider some easy steps that might help. Such as: when the toddler cries and points to a toy for example. Wait a few seconds, encourage them to say and repeat the word of the item and see what happens. Perhaps even try this again over the course of a week or two and try to remember what happens.

It is perfectly normal for toddlers not to speak for the first year or two, especially if mum and dad are not encouraging or changing their behaviour slightly to support the child. So, if next time your toddler 'half' cries when he or she is pointing at a toy, remember, repeat the name of the toy, wait a few seconds and as hard as it may seem, encourage the child to make a bit of effort to change behaviour to try and speak their first few words. It will make all the difference and you will feel immense joy that your child has begun that process of speaking!

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