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Behaviour/development

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4.5 year old behaviour

2 replies

Dee198600 · 04/03/2026 13:16

Hi, I am hoping for some thoughts / opinions as to whether what we are experiencing with our 4 and a half year old little boy is normal / a phase / something more.

my little boy will be 5 in July and is in Reception year at school. In the last 2-3 weeks he has become very, for want of a better word, particular about things. This could be his shoes (asking for them to be adjusted 20 times or more), his uniform, his scooter, how butter is spread on toast etc etc. no matter how many times I help or try to ask him what is wrong, it seems to make no difference. Other than this he seems his normal self, however it is becoming difficult leaving the house in the morning due to the above. I have tried providing choices as I know he is likely needing more independence, but it doesn’t seem to help.

has anyone else experienced this? I know it probably seems like a small thing, but I can’t understand where it has come from all of a sudden and feel helpless when we have changed clothes 3 times, adjusted shoes 20 times etc etc and still he is upset that it is not right and refuses to leave the house.

thanks x

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
SleafordSods · 04/03/2026 17:46

It does seem unusual to suddenly appear like that. Have you asked his Teacher if anything has happened at School?

skkyelark · 06/03/2026 10:25

I agree that it's an unusual one to just appear and about multiple things. Is it just about getting out the door to school, or is it the same for clubs, the play park, or anything he definitely wants to do?

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