3 yo too "huggy" with other children...do they grow out of it?!

[lolacola1977]

My 3.5 yo ds has always been v. physically confident and is tall and strong for his age. The problem is he is that he is too physical with other children and they really don't like it - when I dropped him off at nursery this morning after a couple of days off on holiday, he was so excited and ran up to several of the children and gave them bear hugs, they all responded by either running away or pushing him off...which seems to be the (understandable) reaction he always gets from other children...I just wondered if anyone has any ideas about how I can help him understand that other children don't like it? I've tried talking about personal space etc, but he just doesn't seem to get it. He is the same with his 1 yo sister, although she adores him so doesn't mind so much. The thing is, it must be confusing for him, because whenever we have family / friends visiting, the usually sweep him up for a big cuddle, which he absolutely loves... - we are a tactile family and he gets lots of hugs / kisses etc all the time from us.

Well I just think some children "get" this sort of thing later than others. Most children are hugged often but most pick up that it's only certain people that this is the done thing with.Your son just hasn't made that connection yet....maybe try listing people he can hug and people he can't...and when you next drop him off, remind him "No hugging today...just say hello"

Practice greetings of different kinds. Maybe teach him to high five or a variety of verbal greetings.

Yes, I guess I need to just constantly remind him and good idea to practice with him. When he does remember or I remind him, for example with his sister he often looks like he is clenching his jaw and hands with the effort of not hugging if you know what I mean... :(

Has he got any other little physical things? Some kids have sensory problems where they NEED contact or to be touching things all the time....

No, I don't think so, he hates the hand dryer and other similar noises, but other than that and the huggy thing, he seems completely normal, albeit v spirited and energetic.

I am looking for the same answer..my 6 1/2 yo DS STILL chases and hugs every child he sees and frequently pulls them to do so.

DS means well but no amount of telling him correct procedure OR outright ban on hugging works.

Marking place.

Babieseverywhere oh dear, I thought he would grow out of it by then... Yesterday in the park completely out of the blue, he went up to a just walking baby and planted him a fat kiss on his cheek, much to the surprise of the baby and his mum! It's like he gets hit by this sudden urge to kiss or hug...I guess there are worse things?! I did practice with him on the way to nursery how to say hello to the other children...not sure it will work though.

Most children do outgrow behaviour...Try not to worry, odds are your child will not be doing this next year.

Ds has outgrown the overenthusiastic hug this year. He's 7yo. (year 3)

Last year his report from school said "Little DeeWee likes to hug anyone who stands still long enough".

He does still hug, but now it's more selective time/person.

He did get injured last year through hugging... he has a very tall (and muscular with it) friend. They were giving each other an enthusiastic hug, when they tripped. He ended up underneath. I got a bumped head report for him, and couldn't stop laughing when he told me what had happened. He was very indignant and said "Mummy it isn't funny! He was very heavy on top of me...."