by the same token i think there are lots of parents who don't realise they need to talk to their babies and sing and teach them, instead of just going thru the motions of the day... my dd is like a sponge and so incredibly thirsty for knowledge, as soon as she could walk she would run to different objects in the house and point to them to find out their name....

i hear a lot of people questioning why their kids aren't talking yet in the 18month-2year bracket and i think to myself, well what have you done to encourage it....?? i don't believe it 'just happens', i think it has ALOT to do with their environment and how much they have been talked to. of course it will EVENTUALLY 'just happen' and kids will begin talking, but just alot slower unless parents put in some effort to teach... (not saying this is the case for all, but definitely some)