i think my 2.5 year old is quite clever but he's useless at everyday stuff

[Morph2]

2.5 year old DS seems to be good at academic stuff like letters and numbers, won't go into details but i think he's above average and i don't mean this as a boast. He seems to be into this sort of thing so i don't really have to make an effort its just what he wants to do.

He's bloody useless at day to day stuff. Like for example trying to take off his own clothes, he will have very feeble attempt to pull off vest and then say 'its too difficult'. The only thing he has managed to do is if i take one arm out of vest he can pull other arm out and over his head. His preschool put a message in his book about how they are trying hard to make him more independent with taking off his own shoes and doing up the velcrow (sp?) when he puts them on and to help him at home, but he just doesn't seem interested in doing this, i want him to but don't want to make it a battle ground.

That sounds pretty normal for a 2.5 year old. I don't think DS could dress or undress himself other than pulling off a sock or a hat or something at 2.5. Am surprised nursery are wanting him to do up his own shoes - if I take DS (now 4) to nursery in wellies they expect me to help him put his shoes on before I leave and then they help the children in and out of shoes/wellies when they go out to play.

He can actually dress himself and put on shoes now BTW but he never wants to do it himself

Not much help but ds (23 months) is the opposite. Great at everyday things (and some not so everyday things) but not so great when it comes to academic stuff, like words/numbers etc. Im sure by the time he's 20 he'll be fine I hope! :D

Who expects a 2 year old to be good at every day stuff? They're still babies really at that age, aren't they?

singingsand> well i suppose thats my question really. I'm not pushing him in that sort of thing as he's just not interested yet and i can't see the point of making it a battle ground but should i be?

He's at a preschool rather than a nursery so is about the youngest there so maybe thats why they've said about the shoes.

At two, that sounds perfectly normal. If he was 4 or 5 and still struggling with those things, then you might start wondering about dyspraxia, but at his age there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

DS is at preschool too and it's mixed with a reception unit so if anything surely they'd have higher expectations - it hasn't been mentioned in any way, the only thing they mentioned at parent's afternoon last (school) year was that he might need a bit of encouragement/practice with zips, but remember he was nearly 4 then.

Sounds just fine. I think you watch for the signs at this age that they are capable of becoming more independent and steer them in the right direction, but you can't force it. They are all different. DS liked to be helped right up until Reception really, DD was dressing herself not long after 2 (copying big bruv I think)...

thanks for the comments, think i will go with what i was doing anyway, just light encouragement and not bother pushing if he doesn't seem interested in trying

DS was only just learning how to remove socks at 2.5 (I'm always amazed to see 9 m.o. babies do it). Now he's 2.11 and can remove trousers & hat, just getting the hang of removing coats & zip front jumpers but can only occasionally manage shoes.

I tried to encourage him to learn at about 2.5 as I hoped he'd be more independent when DS2 was born. We both got frustrated with that approach so I backed off entirely. Now he actually wants to do things it's easier.