3 and a half year old bad behaviour

[bookworm1982]

Hi all, I just wondered if anyone out there had a badly behaved 3.5 year old who eventually grew out of it? Or was the child always mischievous, even when older?

I ask because my child is just over 3 and a half (4 in March) and he's pretty badly behaved, especially at preschool. We're working on it with various methods but I'm looking for reassurance that he might eventually grow out of it. It's just that it's been going on for almost a year now so i can't put it down to a phrase anymore. I'm worried it's who he is and he'll always be this way. I just want him on the right track in time for reception in Sept next year.

He doesn't have ADHD or ASD, and he's not behind in any milestones.

Any advice welcome xx

That does sound difficult. Have preschool noticed any particular triggers like hunger or tiredness?

No triggers, and there are days when he's an angel, we thought it was a boredom thing but I'm not convinced it's that anymore.

Bump. Anyone else?

One last bump 🙂

What is the bad behaviour, at preschool and at home?

If he is behaving badly at preschool, I would imagine something is going on.

You can’t write him off as not having ADHD or ASD. My DS age 7 is on the pathway and his only real sign was behaviour at preschool age 3!

I was an apalling 3 year old, and I did indeed grow out of it. I am also autistic. Not sure if there is any correlation there, but worth keeping an eye on.

One of my brothers was also appalling and he is neurotypical. He also grew out of it, but with both of us it took work. Not sure exactly what mum did with us, but with my son who has displayed a little hitting behaviour and trying to stamp his feet etc, I've made a point of us stopping his favourite things if he does that with myself or in my presence, particularly with the hitting.

My understanding is that this is actually fairly typical development behaviour at that age as they are just beginning to establish a sense of self.

Could also be attention seeking. Some children behave in ways they shouldn't in order to get your attention, I would try to give more attention - play with him more etc and see if that improves things. He doesn't by any chance have a new younger sibling or have been any other large changes at home?