Different child

[Trayz86]

My son is just over 2 years old, hes had glue ear in the past that's hes now been discharged from the hospital for and I know that has had an effect on his speech development causing a delay. Hes due his 2 year check at the end of the month and have just received his nursery report, there are many things in his report that I know for a fact that he does at home, he loves playing along side his cousin when they are together, will self soothe easily which he struggles to do at nursery and many other factors like at nursery they say he runs around on his tiptoes, which inhale seen him do but very rarely. Is there a reason to his complete differences at nursery to at home.

Don't worry about his speech delay as speech delays a very common and should not intact on his ability to communicate. When an infant is speech delayed they increase their use of gestures to compensate, so for example, they point much more (they literally become pointing machines!), they use hand and eye movement much more to direct attention, increased use of social referencing, etc. basically to compensate for the lack or words.

This change between home/nursery would not be unusual. At home, they are familiar with the surroundings and people, through their behavior they are able to control their environment and the common people around them (parents, cousins, etc - if they cry we run to them, we know what they want, etc) to keep a sense of order and routine that they are happy in. At nursery all this breaks down, they have little control of the environment while the other children are loud and unpredictable. This will cause anxiety/stress and depending on the child some will handle it better than others. Tip toeing is a bit of a confusing topic, I imagine the nursery is raising it as they find it concerning, but the thoughts behind it is that some people say its a development stage (which I agree unless the child is over 3YR old), others say that it is linked to autism (which it can be sometimes if together with other red flags), or it can be a sign of stress (similar to adults bitting their nails when nervous).

Thank you AladdinMum, I just find it all so confusing reading his report was like reading about a different child completely, I spoke with them at drop off before he got upset about me leaving which I know is a common thing with many children. I've seen him do tiptoe walking but not often, he shows no other signs with autism just typical child/toddler fun. Hes currently cutting his final back teeth which is causing him lots of distress, I just know he can do so much more then what he let's on at nursery.

Then there is nothing to worry about, he sounds like he is doing great - with time and patience he will very soon see the nursery as his second home! :)

Hes been attending nursery for well over a year just seems to be going through I dont want you to leave stage and though I know hes fine like 30 seconds after I'm gone it still breaks my heart. Hes just basically hitting the frustrated tantrum stage but wow is he stubborn (takes after me)