DS 'doesn't understand' at nursery

[MadamePlatypus]

I wastn't sure whether to put this under nursery or development.
When I collected DS (2.5) yesterday one of the staff in the room said that he (male carer) thought that DS was having trouble understanding more complex requests. He was at pains to point out that he didn't think DS was being naughty - just that he didn't understand. He doesn't have this problem at home e.g. understands go to the bathroom to get a cloth to clean his face. The only explanations I can think of are:

1. He has trouble hearing in a crowded room
   
2. He has trouble concentrating in a crowded room
   
3. He is actually being a bit naughty and is ignoring the nursery staff on purpose, or doesn't realise there isn't a choice.
   
4. He can understand me because he is used to the kind of things I might ask him to do, but is confused by new nursery requests.
   
5. The nursery staff are asking him really complex questions - How long will Tony Blair be PM????
   As far as I can see his speech and understanding is not behind for his age e.g. he plays imaginatively, can discuss something he did last week.
   Do you think I should be rushing off to see the health visitor or just leave it?

[MerlinsBeard]

not got much experiance of this but do any of the carers have a different accent than ur DS is used to hearing? or is he shy at nursery?

[mosschops30]

how is his speech MP, can other people understand your ds when he talks?
I wouldnt worry too much about it, but it may be worth just getting his hearing checked out, and then you can rule that out, Your hv can refer you pretty quickly.
HTH

[BudaBabe]

I think I would ask another nursery carer had they noticed anything.

Then if they HAVE noticed the same thing to see if they can vary requests i.e. louder etc to see if it might be hearing related.

Leave it a couple of weeks to see if it improves before rushing to see a health visitor I would say.

[starlover]

i would ask them what requests he is failing to understand.

[cod]

id bet ears

[nailpolish]

how can a 2yr old know about tony blair and being pm? i find that bizarre

round here 2and a half yr olds get a check with the hv, if you dont get them routinely MP i would give your hv a call, she could check his ears and she will chat to you about his socialising and understanding

what does he do when they ask him to do things? does he ignore/seem confused/cry/whatever?

i would also say to him if he doesnt understand what the teacher asks he should say so, say "pardon?" or something

maybe also making an appt with the nursery teacher/manager would ease your worries slightly

good luck

[BudaBabe]

Think the Tony Blair question was a joke nailpolish!!

[Feistybird]

NP, you numpty - the Blair thing was tongue-in-cheek!!

[nailpolish]

oh

[nailpolish]

lol at 'numpty'

never thought i would see that word on MN

ill away now and do something more constructive

[Feistybird]

[LIZS]

Depends what they are asking of him, and perhaps they are using different terms to what he is used to with you. Also he may simply be easily distractible so he loses track of what he is supposed to be doing, which he will probably grow out of over the next couple of years. Has he had a cold recently as ds' hearing always drifted as a preschooler when he had cattarh , if not a hearing check may put your mind at rest.

[zubin]

My ds is 2 and I have had similar issues and have come to the conclusion with dh's sister (who works at nursery) that it's largely to do with him being a strong willed 2 year old who a) doesn't understand expectations - i.e. he understands that they are asking him to do something but doesn't understand that he is expected to do it in the nursery situation (Ihope that makes sense) b) he is being 2 and realises that nursery want him to do something! My advice would be to try not to worry, easier said than done i know I have spent ages worrying that my little boy won't say his name in circle time !!

[MadamePlatypus]

zubin, that does sound exactly like DS. However, I think I will keep an eye on the situation and might see the HV. He does have loads of colds, and MIL thinks cattarh induced hearing loss is a family trait. I don't honestly think there is anything wrong with him, but atleast I would be able to rule it out.

[mumtoone]

I wouldn't worry too much for the timebeing. You could ask if other nursery staff have noticed the same problem which might help determine if your child is just struggling to understand certain accents. If it was a hearing problem you would probably notice it when you ask questions. You could try talking behind your child and see if they respond.

[mumtoone]

I wouldn't worry too much for the timebeing. You could ask if other nursery staff have noticed the same problem which might help determine if your child is just struggling to understand certain accents. If it was a hearing problem you would probably notice it when you ask questions. You could try talking behind your child and see if they respond.