My two year old touching his bum when nervous

[fiyalarm]

A bit of a weird one but my two year old son keeps doing this when I'm taking him to toddler classes. When the teacher is talking and he needs to listen etc, he's always touching the back of his trousers and puts his hands down there and sort of ends up exposing his bum a little bit as well.

I keep telling him to stop doing it, but it continues. I try to distract him, but as soon as he's in ' listening mode ' he just starts doing it.

It's a bit embarrassing.

He has never done this at home, ever. He only does it in the situation described.

I know how silly it sounds but I need him to stop doing it.

Any advice on why this happens and how to stop it ? Thank you.

Anyone?

If it were me I would not be making a big deal about it. Just distract him when he's doing it, perhaps give him something to hold in those situations. Otherwise it may become a "don't push the big red button", he will be thinking about it and more likely to do it, if you get my drift. I'm sure he will grow out of it. He is 2.

He’s 2. He will probably grow out of it.

He's only two, could you put him in leggings or jeans that aren't loose? Or a vest top with poppers? How is he exposing his bum? Is he already toilet trained and no longer in a nappy?

Distraction is the best way to stop it but I think it's sad that you find it embarrassing

This is a pretty normal nervous tactic - a friends two year old does it too, and we’ve definitely seen others at classes.

It’s a coping mechanism; and likely instinctive, which is why he can’t stop.

Like any other habit you don’t like, you’re better to deal with it by ignoring it and distracting whenever possible. Pointing it out will only solidify it in his mind. In time, he’ll stop.

Sounds like if he's two years old and feeling nervous and uncomfortable and in a class with a teacher...? that this isn't a suitable activity for him??
I can't imagine that many 2 year olds are ready to sit still and listen to a teacher. I'd be finding a child led activity for him to do.