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AIBU?

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Original poster

Lining up toys

84 replies

FlatStanleyWasMyFave · 31/12/2022 18:06

Am I right to be concerned that my toddler (almost 3) regularly lines his toys up? He doesn’t seem to ever actually be “playing” with them, just lining them up. I’ve asked friends and they’ve said their kids sometimes line toys up too but I can’t help but worry. Can anyone reassure me this is normal for a child his age?

OP posts:
Reugny · 31/12/2022 21:05

2bazookas · 31/12/2022 19:57

Lining up cars/ toys etc IS imaginary play; he's thinking about it and acting out some private scenario. He just hasn't told you because, hell, you'd probably make him feed them.

All my sons did it. so did my brother. My granddaughter still lines up all her soft toys. And her nailvarnish bottles.

Show quote history

😂

My DD aged 4 doesn't feed toys.

She looks at you like you are mad if you suggest it.

Creatingusernamesismygame · 31/12/2022 21:25

Reugny · 31/12/2022 21:05

😂

My DD aged 4 doesn't feed toys.

She looks at you like you are mad if you suggest it.

Show quote history

My 2.5 year old also refuses to feed her toys. She knows they can’t actually eat that’s why. She stares at me, giving me that “have you lost the plot mum?” She’s happy to put food in my mouth or her dads or her siblings.
If I pick her doll up and give it attention, she takes it off me and throws it out of the room! Jealousy issues with her doll! So, my toddler rarely role plays.

Thatdidnthappen · 31/12/2022 21:28

My son (now 20) spent about 18 months at around 2 years old constantly lining up his toy cars into traffic jams. That’s all he wanted to do, day in, day out.

He grew out of it.

Yuja · 31/12/2022 21:29

Both of my DC did this. Neither are autistic

locamotions · 31/12/2022 21:31

My DS never did this. He's profoundly autistic.

We knew by 14 months he was not right! So I'm sure you'd know at 3

thingumybob · 31/12/2022 21:34

2 of mine did this. One is diagnosed autistic and the other probably is too. 3rd child didn't do it and is not autistic.

On its own I wouldn't worry about it too much. If there are other concerns or your gut instinct is telling you there is more to it, then it may be worth following it up.

Hugasauras · 31/12/2022 21:34

It's a schema isn't it? DD is NT and has always loved lining stuff up. Our dining table at the moment is just a massive line of dinosaur figures waiting for an ice cream.

thingumybob · 31/12/2022 21:39

FlatStanleyWasMyFave · 31/12/2022 20:19

Also while we’re on the subject does this sound like a typical almost 3yr old? (Given what I’ve said about the lining up and the cuddling strangers) he will make statements, ask questions “what is it?” “What happened?” etc but there’s no actual back and forth conversation flow. He often repeats what I’ve said parrot fashion. “Is that biscuit tasty?” “Biscuits tasty”
With my elder child, we would be chatting away with ease (although I was told often she was a very early talker)

That sounds like Echolalia

thingumybob · 31/12/2022 21:46

FlatStanleyWasMyFave · 31/12/2022 18:55

Thanks for your replies. I guess it just worries me how he does it so regularly and with whatever he’s playing with be it cars dinosaurs jungle animals whatever. And the lack of actual pretend play. Just lots of lining things up and throwing them about.
he is a very affectionate boy but this extends to strangers as well - he will regularly cuddle strangers or try and jump on their lap etc when we are at kid friendly public places (soft play the library etc)
does this all sound ok??? I’m a real worried by nature and I cannot tell you how anxious this is making me. It’s not a recent thing - he’s been doing this for absolutely ages.

My autistic child was like this with strangers too.

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