Talking

Each child is different, I'm sure it's not you and more that he's learning at his own pace. Maybe rather than ask and to expect a response just say 'sit down' when you sit or 'more water' when you give him a drink etc. He will pick it up eventually 😊 just keep it simple x

ah yeah I was wondering if I was making it a bit difficult by saying more than I need to so I’ll start doing that instead. Thank you!x

200+ words? I've not seen any child know that many at this age 🤔. I wouldn't worry at all, 20-30 words is about average Id say! If yours is anything like my little one, he will be absorbing what you are saying and then just randomly start saying more words at some point. They don't always get it right away but their little brains are like sponges. I usually just narrate what I'm doing so he hears things most of the day. They will get there 🤗🌸

My boy is 21mth and has maybe 10 words if you can count some of the half words he does. He is still absorbing stuff and will sometimes pop out with a new word here and there but then stop saying other ones.

Best thing to do is keep saying what you are doing as you do it so he associates the words with the action.

Don't worry
Up was one of my sons first words but he has never said it to request being picked up he just holds his arms up or bangs us on the legs. He says up every time he stands up or climbs up or the pram gets tilted up to go onto the pavement while crossing a road 😅
He learned up from me singing the up and down song from Ms Rachel constantly especially when he was on parent facing pram or in the high chair I did my arms up and then slammed down onto the table or pram handlebars. Or while lifting him up and squatting down while holding him (v fun for him)

that’s what I thought when I saw the comment the other week on here and thought he should be saying that many words too. Yes I see him looking at my mouth when I’m talking so I think your right he’s just taking it all it still. Thank you!!x

So my little one has very good speech and yes he does 200+ words and short sentences BUT he didn't crawl until a week before his 1st birthday, didn't walk until 16 months and still isn't all that physically able compared to his peers. They just develop different things at different rates. My LO gets so frustrated if he can't communicate something to us but isn't at all fussed if he's unable to climb a climbing frame at a park. My sisters children were the opposite and just wanted to be running/climbing at all times so developed those skills first. They can all speak great now!
Also, I do exactly as you describe, and verbalise whatever communication he is giving. I've also done a lot of sign with him and he uses a mix of words and signs (sometimes together). I think as long as you are talking to them, reading books etc you are doing great and they'll soon get there with more words 😊

Sounds like a really normal number of words tbh. Just keep talking to him and say back the word you want him to learn. Did you want your drink? Drink? Ok, here is your drink. Etc.

He’ll get the hang of it. For context, my son says down for every direction. Wants to be picked up - down. Wants to go in a different room - down. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don’t think you need to worry you’re stopping him by getting him what he wants, you’re giving him the freedom to communicate how and when he wants and have a positive experience to learn in. Children learn by copying anyway so as the others have said, narrating things is great, and lots of reading and singing all can help, but against, others also agree this is absolutely an expected level of language for this age.