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Is this normal 3 year old behaviour

4 replies

Whirliwig72 · 03/02/2012 10:41

My son who turned 3 at the end of January has always been a live-wire. He is very energetic and has been into everything from an early age. He is the child trying to find out how the fire extinguishers or the CD player works whilst the other children sit obediently during circle time.

Whilst he has calmed down a little recently and is not quite so manic - I can now take him for a walk without him running off (sort of) -he still has what I call manic episodes on a regular basis. During these times he will run about, bouncing off the walls, breaking things through clumsiness. He will also monologue - start chattering away about lots of unconnected things without leaving room for a response - i.e. 'mummy where is the snail's flannel, I want cheesecake, mummy, mummy the bike wheel is gold, Mummy fireworks mummy fireworks, theres a mistake, squash squish squash' ... and so on!!

He mostly does this in the evenings when he's tired and I'm sure diet plays a part too - he had a jelly last week and the evening was dreadful but do you think I should get him checked out or is this all normal stuff? He's otherwise a clever, affectionate, cheerful and funny little boy - he just has so much uncontrollable energy and gets himself so gee'd up sometimes it concerns me.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ChasTittyBeltUp · 03/02/2012 11:10

I think it's normal. I have a 3 year old and a 7 year old and my youngest is very like that at times. It is definitely connected to diet in my opinion....mostly sugar...jelly used to send my oldest off the scale!

I don't think you need to see anyone...just cut out sugary treats. If he's going to have a treat like a cake or icecream in a cafe...make sure its lunchtime not after.

I offer plain, natural yogurt and stir honey in to it for a snack...or crackers...carrot sticks...raisins...nuts...things which he might like but which won't make him barmy.

peppajay · 03/02/2012 14:01

My LO sounds very similar to yours he is such a live wire in fact that other people can't cope with him as he doesnt sit still and doesn't shut up ALL day but he is a very happy cheerful boy who never moans. He has calmed down since he started pre school but has now really started to push the boundaries by doing naughty things and laughing, and I think he is now getting bored of pre school and the stimualtion i can give him and is ready for school because my DD's behaviour went exactly the same way at 3.5 and once she started school the boundary testing stopped.

It is an interesting comment about diet and people have always said to me I should re evaluate his diet and cut out sugar but my LO hates sweets cakes and biscuits in fact anything sugary and he will not touch fruit juice or squash so I know that his hyperactivity has nothing to do with diet. Have you tried giving him fish oil supplements I started giving my LO multivitamins with added omega 3 yesterday obviously too early to see results yet but a friend says it has worked wonders with her son who would never sit still and who will now look at a book before bed!!!

Whirliwig72 · 03/02/2012 21:55

Thanks both of you - think supplements are a very good idea especially as lo is a very finicky eater and is probably missing out on loads of nutrients.

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bacon · 04/02/2012 10:03

Ds1 was very calm while DS2 is wild. Its hardwork isnt it?

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