DS resolutely refuses to point at anything I want him to!

[EBDteacher]

DS (15mo) loves books and is a good talker. He looks through his books pointing at pictures and telling me what they are. For example he will point at a bee picked out of a garden scene and say 'bee'.

He even asks what things are. We've just been looking at pictures of vehicles and he pointed at a motorbike and said 'wah di?' I said 'motorbike' and he said 'mmmm'. Just trying to give and idea of the level of understanding he does have.

However, if I say 'DS, where's the doggy?' even if it's just a choice out of two pictures he never ever points at the doggy. I see him look at it, but no way is he pointing!

I don't know if he doesn't get the game or just doesn't see the point of it (no pun intended..)? Any ideas how to encourage him? He seems to understand lots of what I say btw- if I say 'get a book and come and sit here' he does. He's just NOT joining in with the pointing thing!

It's because children are stubborn and contrary and understand things when they are ready, not when their parents want them to understand them. He probably doesn't understand 'point at X'. And why should he? He's 15 months, just a baby, really.

I would stop trying so hard. Just relax and let him go at his own pace. He'll get there.

So if HE wants to find out information, he knows to point at something and ask what it is. However if YOU ask him to do something he won't? Sounds totally normal, infuriating though it is.

Is there a reason that you want him to point at things so much? Are you worried about his development in other areas? Just noticing your username, are you a teacher?

I was just going to say the same as cairn, why do you want him to point so much? You know he knows how to point, he can do it when he wants to, why does this matter?

No, I'm not worried about his development at all.

Was just curious as to why he isn't using skills I think he has to join in with my game! Yes, I know , I know !! Yes I am a teacher .

I know I deserve the flaming I'm about to get

You don't deserve a flaming at all - it's just funny. All the teachers I know are like this with their PFBs young children.

Maybe he thinks "mummy, you know what a dog is, what you asking me for?" I swear DS was capable of looking sardonic at 15 months.

EBDteacher I really hope that you don't think I was giving you a flaming? :( It's just that I know from personal experience that when you get really, really worried about something, it's often not until someone from the outside asks a few questions that you can start to put it into context.

Like daveywarbeck I was wondering if your DS was thinking 'If you want to know where the doggy is, why don't YOU point at it? I can see it quite clearly thank you'

PS My DS who has resolutely refused to eat any vegetables for the past 11 months and has only started back on fruit for the past 2 months has just nicked my apple and is now eating it as a grownup would do, skin and all. Kids eh, who'd 'ave 'em.

No, no cairn was just already mentally kicking myself.

You know what this stems from? Christmas. I know my MIL, who is even worse a Headteacher is going to sit DS down as ask him to point to the quadratic equation that equals 72 and then start applying for a statement for him when he can't. I must rise above it !

I've just said 'DS, where's the cow?'. Little blighter took hold of MY finger and used that to jab the cow that level of facetiousness would not be tolerated in my classroom so I know he can do it. I'll just stop worrying.

Poor DS

I've just said 'DS, where's the cow?'. Little blighter took hold of MY finger and used that to jab the cow

hahaha

Bingo. He thinks you're mad. I don't think you need to worry about him with granny headteacher, he's clearly capable of holding his own.

He is actually brighter than you think. He also has attitude.

He is playing the game called "Mummy, I am NOT a performing seal" and is therefore going to train you to do the pointing.

They're clever wee buggers.

A clever DC. They should all learn to do it early on-i.e not be 'performing seals'! I think they will go far when they have a mind of their own!

DS is 1yo and will say 'wah da?' and point to something and i know he understands the name of lots of objects. But without fail, i will ask him where the lizard is and he will point at the fish. He clearly thinks it's a great game!

EBDteacher

You owe me a new keyboard. Spat my tea out when I read about your DS's latest antics - using your finger, brilliant!

PS good luck with Christmas, all becomes immediately clear and even more understandable!! If all else fails how about suggesting that he may need one-on-one tutoring with Granny whilst you put your feet up with the remote, a large glass of something soothing and the box of Christmas chocolates See how Granny likes HER finger being used as a pointer!