My 4 year old son has started Reception in a new school.
His teacher has informed me that he is having trouble listening and following instructions at school. He is like "in his own little world and gets very absorbed in what he is doing." Also, he has been playing fireman during break and running with an imaginary hose the whole time. Not sure why this is strange or worrying, but it was mentioned. And apparently he sometimes says "weird things"; from what I figured out/asked him, sometimes it's phrases that he overheard at school, or from Thomas the Train movies, or Frozen soundtrack, etc. So, it's not complete nonsense, but rather something that has caught his attention and he is trying to figure out. Hasn't been playing with other children at break time, until today when he teamed up with a boy and they were naughty together.
He listens ok at home (as good as any other 4 year old, I'd say, sometimes have to ask him to wash hands/clean up a good few times, drives me nuts, but hey.. ). No hearing problem imo, whisper "chocolate" and he'll come running :) Absolutely not concerned about autism as when with me he is very willing to interact with kids and adults, excellent at having conversations etc.
Has anybody had experience with this? I'm puzzled, seems like a non-issue to be honest, kid has imagination, still settling in a new school and getting to know his classmates. Not sure what I can do at home, other than encouraging him to listen to teacher and so on. But maybe this is an issue?? A child or teacher or settling in problem?
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4 year old not listening/following instructions in class
lotsofpeas · 12/10/2016 14:01
I agree about the hearing thing. I was convinced my Sons hearing was fine as well until it was suggested by the teacher that him not being able to hear properly could be the cause of his 'away with the fairies' behaviour in Reception. I begrudgingly took him for the test and it turned out he did need grommets. 
. His concentration and behaviour improved hugely afterwards! So don't just rule it out. I have to say though that 2 of my 3 boys didn't really 'get' school until they were both about 7!
Witchend, BigusBumus, thanks for mentioning the hearing thing, made me think more about it, I'll definitely look into it.
Fairenuff - I mean, he is listening ok for a 4 year old 
At home, he'd jump to it if it's something he likes to do, like reading with me or playing cars, or going to the playground! So, it's like ask 10 times to wash hands and only telling once to get ready to watch a movie.
He told me that when the teacher asked him to tidy up he was 'too busy." 
I think maybe it has more to do with not being interested in doing what he is told to do.
But it's also when he gets very absorbed in his playing or reading that you really do have to work hard to get his attention. Is this normal? Seems normal to me, as when I read I don't hear/notice anything around me.
So, I don't know how to get him to pay more attention to the teacher, especially when his attention is on something else, to always keep an ear out for the teacher's instructions. How do you explain that to a 4 year old? 
BackforGood - he's been to nursery, but part-time and never quite took to it. He was in Pre-School at a different school last year, and it took him a good few months to begin playing with his classmates and talking properly to the teacher. He is getting through the settling in process much quicker this year though.
Nigglenaggle - ah it feels good to know my son is not the only one like that! Are any of us really 'normal'? 
How is your boy not like other 4 year olds?
I think my son is more observant, more focused and more thoughtful than other children of his age. And that is what's causing the not listening/ignoring/not following instructions issue. It's like when you're thinking hard about something and trying to figure it out you barely realise what's going around you, and that's what he is doing.
Lotsof he is pretty much exactly as you describe! Doesn't listen, lost in his own world, talks to himself, seemingly nonsense unless you spend a lot of time with him and pick up the references. He spends a lot of time socialising and likes other children, but tends to get on better with those younger than himself. I think older children find him a bit odd and sometimes I see why! He is lost in his own little world and struggles to understand why others don't see life the way he does. He would totally say he was busy if asked to do something, and believe it was true- we're working on when that's reasonable and when not obviously. I can remember being told at school that I had wonderful concentration and have only realised quite recently how different I was! I definitely got on better with teachers from juniors upwards so obviously I learnt to adapt to what they wanted. I disliked secondary school but have plenty of friends as an adult. I'm trying to be led by my mums advice on my son and not worry, as whatever she did or didn't do worked for me! Trust your instincts
lotsofpeas, could you please tell me how is your son now because my 4.8 child same case and i'm really confused about what shall I do , Please advise. 
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