20 month old doesn’t sit in circle time... adhd??

[Aaliah1234]

Hi all

I’ve been driving myself mad over this. My son is 20 months old and we’ve been going to different activities since he was 11 months old. He does not want to sit in circle time. He may sit for a split second but then wanders off.

We recently started going to a different children’s centre and the i voiced my concerns to one of the staff there. She recommended that he should be put on the waiting list for an 8 week program called attention Hillingdon. I googled this and seems like this is an inclusion program for kids with asd or other needs (SEN).

He seems fine to me otherwise as he’s sociable (plays with cousins), he’s learning lots of words, can sing and understand basic instructions. But he is veryyyyyyy active. He doesn’t sit still and is constantly on the move. At home we do short activities (sorting, reading, painting etc) and he’s able to concentrate on these but wouldn’t do these when we go to the classes. If there is a you with wheels he will play with that instead.

We stopped going to story time in the library as he wouldn’t sit for anything even the crafts in the end.

He used to have a lot of separation anxiety although that has subsided a little bit. My mother in law came from abroad last week and he was 6 months old when he last saw her but he has been interacting with her which I was pleased about because he doesn’t go to people easily. How are he didn’t ever give hugs. He will give kisses if you ask him to but won’t do it on his own.

We got to my in laws a lot but I’ve noticed my mother in law comparing him to another grandkid she has who is 9 months older than dS (saying things like he’s friendly and loves to come to her bed in the morning and shows he loves her). I try not to take this to heart as I never want to compare little one to anyone.

DS has not outgrown biting and still bites if he gets frustrated. I’ve tried to make him understand but seems to be getting nowhere.

Not sure if I need to be worried

*toy with wheels.

His behaviour doesn’t sound out of step with a typical 2 year old. Kids don’t really start playing together properly until they are 2-3. And who wants to sit in circle time when there are more exciting things to be doing...?

I’m no expert.

My boys were both like this. We only attended groups where all activities enabled them to be on the move or a lovely toddler group with circle time where the kids could sing, dance, skip, jump ..... whatever they wanted during the circle time bit. It’s perefectly normal at that age to not want to sit!!

At 20 months I wouldn’t be concerned at all. It’s normal for toddler to not want to sit still!

Some children aren’t huggers, or they order to just hug those close to them (like mummy and daddy and nobody else). If he hasn’t seen your mother in law for a while that’s most probably why and that is normal. If she hasn’t seen him since 6 months she’s like a stranger to him for now. It’s all very well that she compares him to her other grandchild. 9 months older is quite a bit of time in toddler world! My DD will cuddle myself and OH and my mother in law but she will not cuddle my mum or dad even though she seems them more than mil. They are funny sometimes 😂

Mine have both been like this. I do have concerns about adhd. But it is more about impulsivity so running off, hitting. Dc2 is not a 4 not too bad for sitting at nursery.
Imo there can be a huge variation but ones who have been to nursery are more indoctrinated into it from a young age

Sounds totally normal. In fact I'm more suspicious of the toddlers that do sit still. Although I find mostly girls are better at sitting, but not always.

My DS always wants to be exploring. It's not comfortable for them to sit for ages. Some groups drag out the story time. More hope if they can have snacks at the same time. He will now sit for a story IF it interests him and he's 3 yrs now. Don't worry everyone's different.

Thank you very much ladies. I’m reassured (really I was looking for reassurance). Little one plays well with other kids but only if it involves running or hiding.

Hi any updates please