Nearly 4 year old who approaches strangers!

[drcrab]

My DS is 4 next month and has in the last few months started to talk to strangers. Like he'd go up to them at a playgym and show thema sticker he's just received. Or tell them that he's just found a feather (and show them).. Etc. At first we thought it was cute. Now I'm starting to freak out as it's making him appear needy or strange.

He goes to nursery a few times a week. He has many friends and appears popular amongst them. His teachers at nursery think he's brilliant. I'm just worried as to why he's approaching adult strangers and telling them something about himself.

Any advice or thoughts appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Both of my Dc's have done this. I just felt the need to watch over them iyswim? for their safety, but other than that, I have never worried about it. I think it shows that they are confident and intelligent. As long as you consider he is safe and not getting in the way or on the nerves of anyone, I'd say don't worry too much about it.

BTW, my Dc's are now 13 and 5. Both are very sociable and hold great conversations with adults ~ especially Ds (the eldest), who has done so since he was 18 months old.

Very normal in my experience. DD1 rattles off her CV (and ours!) to anyone willing (or not!) to listen. As long as they don't go off out of sight and they don't bug the person they're boring to tears telling stories to too much, I wouldn't worry.

Thank you for your reassurances!! I was starting to wonder whether it had something to do with attention seeking or showing off!

Ironically just before he started doing this I was worrying about how he'd be when he starts reception as he was very much a quiet child. He was still v popular in nursery but he wouldn't speak up, volunteer information. Wouldn't tell teacher if he fell down or if he got hit by another child etc. Wouldn't volunteer information of any sort. I worried he wouldn't be vocal at school and therefore be passed over by teachers!!

I think this is definitely a good thing. He's learning that it's safe to go up and chat to people - very good lesson for later life, I reckon!

I often watch my Dd and marvel at her confidence in speaking to people. I was a painfully shy child with strangers and would blush if someone as much as looked at me. I'm very glad she's not the same :)

Ds1 has been doing this since he could talk. At nearly 6 he still does. Consider it part of an outgoing personality and enjoy his delight in everything.

Not telling the teacher if he fell or was hit and also approaching strangers would be a bit worrying. It might go deeper than shy vs. outgoing.