Am I Expecting Too Much?
 

Two dcks I watch are both 21 months. They are verbal however when it's meal time the girl won't ask me for more (I know she wants more because she will look at me). She can sign more but only will do it if I ask her if she wants more. I have to prompt her to tell me. Am I expecting too much out of her to tell me she wants more vs. me asking her if she wants more. My 20 month old daughter will tell me she wants more and the other dcb of the same age can. If she knows how should I just not expect her to do it unprompted? Also they are both not good with a spoon either. Am I expecting too much from them to be able to use it for things especially like soup and cereal?

On a side note the girl also chews on EVERYTHING. When does this get better? I mean it's toy cars, balls, blocks, books etc. She has even bit holes in some of my Ball pit balls. How do I get it to stop?

The only reason children learn to do anything is through necessity, and language is no different. All the kids I've had whose parents predicted their needs and met them before the child had a chance to communicate their need had some speech delay. I would totally ignore her while being present, and if she's still hungry she will ask soon. I especially like to overact in front of kids like that with the other children. "Oh, you'd like MORE PLEASE? HERE you go, THANKS for asking!" They think it's funny, but my little stinkers watch the whole play.

As far as chewing, I just ordered one of these. I'll let you know soon if it works for my little Jaws! :)

http://www.arktherapeutic.com/arks-k...uCEaAllP8P8HAQ

Thanks for the feedback. I have ignored her and she still won't ask so i just dont give her more, but when the other boy asks I do make a big deal out of it. He doesn't find it amusing but he doesn't find much amusing anyway. I think both these kids are given whatever they want when they want it at home being it's just them. They've been with me since 2 months old though.

I guess I never thought about it much. I have 23 mo twins and hardly ever do they ask for more. I kind of gauge how hungry they're still acting. :) But just this week they've started saying I want more. I was super excited because it's the first time I'd heard them put 3 words together. :)

Originally Posted by NoMoreJuice!:
The only reason children learn to do anything is through necessity, and language is no different. All the kids I've had whose parents predicted their needs and met them before the child had a chance to communicate their need had some speech delay. I would totally ignore her while being present, and if she's still hungry she will ask soon. I especially like to overact in front of kids like that with the other children. "Oh, you'd like MORE PLEASE? HERE you go, THANKS for asking!" They think it's funny, but my little stinkers watch the whole play.

As far as chewing, I just ordered one of these. I'll let you know soon if it works for my little Jaws! :)

http://www.arktherapeutic.com/arks-k...uCEaAllP8P8HAQ

So true! Our youngest didn't speak until he was over 24 months old. He was the youngest of 6, and his older siblings were 2, 6, 10, 13, & 16 so he didn't have to speak to get what he wanted. He just had to point and give puppy dog eyes.

As I was reminded in a recent workshop, the behaviors children have right now have worked for them their entire lives. It may drive us crazy, but it's always worked for them and they may not know any different, so it's our job to teach them alternative behaviors.

When you see her looking at you for more I'd ask "Do you want some more ______?" and when she nods say "Say 'more' " or encourage her to sign for more. When she starts mastering that you can encourage her to ask without the prompt. Like, when you serve her firsts say "Tell me when you're ready for more..."