DD (4) copying other children - is it a phase?

[OrangeSunset]

DD is just 4. She's imaginative, articulate and generally a happy little soul. She has lots of friends and is happy at pre-school.

But I've noticed that she copies other children a lot. Often, if we're with a group of children she'll watch what they do first, then copy. This can be in the form of saying 'yeah, let's do that' or actually copying what they say/do/sing.

There have been a few occasions where another child has said to her 'hey, don't copy me!'.

I wonder whether it's a confidence thing - at home, and most of the time she's very happy to create her own games and have others join in. But, when she's in a larger group she seems to find comfort in copying, as if what the other child is doing is the 'best' or the 'right' thing to be doing.

I might be projecting my own self-esteem ishoos on to her, of course. But, if it's anything to do with low confidence, I want to do all I can to help her before she enters the world of school in the autumn. Is this normal 4yo behaviour? I'can't say I've witnessed it in other children we see regularly.

I've noticed kids copying a lot. My boy is 5 and very confidant and outgoing. When he's had friends over, some want to do the same ad he does- as if they've stopped thinking for themselves. I've told my boy to not decide for everyone and that they can all decide for themselves. I've found that it wasn't my boy being overbearing (which I was really worried about) but more that the kids were really quite shy in big groups and are just blending in. I think that if she's happy then don't worry, just keep reminding her that she's an individual and she doesn't have to be the same as everyone else. I think I've just rambled on quite a bit there x good luck with your little one xxx

I think they all like to copy kids they look up to, especially older ones, and one way or another it might be quite a long phase!