What's That?

[jellyjelly]

Please tell me the answer why some children will ask a question when they know the answer already.

I wear a heart necklace and the child has said heart necklace then followed by what's that? when he know what it is, this is on lots of questions. Every week without fail.

Why and yes i always give him the same answer.

Jelly - how old? It's very common for toddlers to ask things when they know the answer because they want you to ask so they can show how clever they are with their answer iyswim.

For example....

'where's daddy?' rather than say 'at work', if you say 'where's daddy?' back to them, they quite often say 'at work' with a little smile on their face.

I don't know if this is what you mean but I find this is very common.

I dont have it with mine but with this child is just 3 but doesnt seem to always know the answer. The other one today was where is my leg?

Oh sorry, thought you were saying they do know the answer - classic thing for them to want to be asked the question so they can answer themselves!

Most of the time he has just told me what whatever it it is but not always. Any other ideas why will try and ask the question back next time.

No other idea's apart from extra attention??? Sorry, not much help!

Have you got the 'why?' 'why?' 'why?' all day long yet??? I have, lucky me eh!

What do you say to mindees if they say they love you? Do you say it back(although you maybe don't). I think it can be awkward if my kids are around.Don't want my kids to feel funny about my minding.

Do you keep changing your answers each time?

I really dont know what to say if they say it to you. I have had this when i have been babysitting and found it really hard and said ah thats so sweet of you and gave her a kiss.

My current mindee constantly says 'I love you Helen' and I say 'I love you too xxx' and she says 'I love you too xxx' and it goes on and on. My ds says it all the time too and we say the same and he really doesn't seem to mind - he just says 'I love you xxx' to her and she says it back so it's all ok. Think he knows the difference though as I can't give the kisses and cuddles to a mindee with the same meaning as I do my own ds.

As for answers Jelly, if there is only one answer, I give that but if there are different ways of putting it without it being confusing, I do that too.

IMO it's important to answer these questions (as annoying as it can be if it's all day long) as this is how they learn things.

HTH

I done this on the course and the examply was

Why does daddy go to work

To earn money
why
to buy you things
buy why
because he loves you
why
because he does
why
JUST BECAUSES HE DOES NOW LEAVE ME ALONE

They were saying that the child gets confused but the answer and wants it all explained in one sentance such as

Wheres Daddy

He has gone to work so we can live in this nice house and have lots of nice presents and things because he loves us and he will be back after dinner or bed or bathtime. It makes them feel secure that you are not changing our answers all the time same way why going to bed at the same time each night works for them.

Give it a go.

Already do that Jelly but thanks

One of my mindees used to tell people that daddy went to work so he could pay me all his money!!

PMSL

I look after a 2 and a half year old and everything I say, she replies 'what'! I'm sure I can remember my own going through this stage when they were younger, but it can be a bit frustrating! I don't think there is anything wrong with her hearing as I have whispered something that she would be interested in hearing and she doesn't have any problem then. Oh well will just carry on repeating everything at least ten times!

Mine says 'wosssat' constantly ('whats that') pointing at me, her twin brother, ds, food, air..... she's just learning and thinks she's very funny! It's good for her though, she learns a new word every time by pointing to something new... (shes 2.3)