5yo not playing with soft toys

[LeBFG]

Hi everyone.

I wanted to tap into your collective experience for a minor question really. We have a neighbour's son who is 5yo. He is pretty hyperactive and interested in lots of things - pretty normal for his age I'd guess. But he doesn't play or interact with soft toys like teddies....at all. He has no interest and doesn't know what to do with them. THis strikes me as a bit odd. My friend who knows the family better says the lad has always just been encouraged to play with balls, cars etc like a 'real' boy.

I thought this type of play was pretty ubiquitous with young children. Or perhaps I haven't a clue as I just don't know that many. Anyone with similar experiences? Does it mean anything?

[Flimflammery]

My son has always completely ignored his soft toys. He does complain if you suggest giving them to his sister, however. I think this is fairly normal, especially for a boy. Soft toys don't do anything, they just sit there looking cute and cuddly.

[tabulahrasa]

Neither DS or DD played with soft toys, they just weren't interested in them.

[megandraper]

My 5yo and 3yo DSs have never been very interested in soft toys either. Although we've got millions of them. Neither is my 16mo DD, although she does LOOOOVE a doll she's been given, which has taken me by surprise.

[EldritchCleavage]

No, in my family interest in them is the exception among the children (girls and boys), I would say. I was never bothered either. DD only takes notice in order to attack them in some violent way, but soon loses interest even in that.

[Convert]

I found DS1 and DS2 with a cuddly tiger the other day. It was in a plastic food bag. Hanging from the cupboard door. I think I'd rather they didn't play with them.

[colditz]

I'd say five is a bit old to be lugging teddies around. I definitely didn't, and although my children both do at nine and six, I think they're both a bit odd

[LeBFG]

Oh, OK. Thanks for all that. THe youngers I know all do like playing and have their favorite ones. Just shows how variable they can be. You're right flimflam, they don't do stuff. Not very engaging. I suppose I was thinking vaguely about problems with empathy etc over thinking it far too much obviously!!

[colditz]

Ds1 is autistic and spends quite a lot of time pandering to teddies!

[DeWe]

Only one of mine interested in soft toys is ds. The girls just weren't bothered.