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4 year old - suggestions welcome-

6 replies

Daddy1987 · 17/12/2022 09:06

Hi, we have a 4 year old. He was a late speaker( didn't speak till he was 3years old) also he was late at everything he did example, crawling, walking etc, however, he doesn't have a build up to them, one day he just crawled and one day he just stood up and walked.
At 4 years he is at one sentence level and misses communication level. He will pretend and play and follow most of the instructions.
The only thing which troubles us is he will not sit calmly in a place untill you give him phone which we have to give for him to eat food.
He also plays with all his toys at once and gets bored of one in 5 minutes and go to other.
We have been noticing this other thing where he goes and cuddles strangers and other kids. We are teaching him a lot about keeping safe distance and not everyone likes cuddles , but as soon as we are in a park it's impossible to stop him.
Mentioning about his speech he is good at vocabulary, for example yesterday he came to me with an empty box and said ' it's a it's a it's a' pointing at the box , I said 'It's an empty box' , he looked at me and said ' it's an empty LUNCH box'.
It looks like his speech as plateaued at 'it's a ' and few other sentences.
He hasn't been diagnosed of anything yet. Some friends and relatives advise us that he will eventually grow out of it. Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks.

OP posts:
MolliciousIntent · 17/12/2022 09:08

I think you should speak to your GP and HV about getting him assessed, tbh. What do nursery say?

Daddy1987 · 17/12/2022 09:40

Nursery doesn't say much. They said he is doing great and picked up a lot in one year. Also, forgot to mention we are bilingual. But he mainly speaks English But understand second language as well by 50%

OP posts:
jannier · 17/12/2022 12:32

It is usual for bilingual children to be slower to start speaking and to pause to think of what to say.
Many children have too many play options reducing what's available can increase focus on any one thing....4 minutes to a 4 year old is like an hour to us so it seems they don't focus for long.
Lots of children have been conditioned to eat Infront of a screen for some strange reason he's doing what you have taught him and that by screaming you give in how about explaining everyone is sitting eating together from no on no screens for anyone....then if he kicks off remind him once and say it's your choice either eat with us or leave the table until your ready to come back and eat but there is no screen.

Daddy1987 · 17/12/2022 15:18

Hi Jannier, thanks for your reply. And what are your views regarding approaching random strangers. We don't have friends with children of his age and covid didn't help. Do you think it's that?

OP posts:
MolliciousIntent · 17/12/2022 15:24

The speech and lack of boundaries sound like they're within normal range for him.

The toys - there's probably too much to choose from. Have a big clear out and set up a toy rotation.

Meals - you're the parent, you're in charge, take the screen away. It's an incredibly unhealthy eating habit.

jannier · 17/12/2022 16:24

Daddy1987 · 17/12/2022 15:18

Hi Jannier, thanks for your reply. And what are your views regarding approaching random strangers. We don't have friends with children of his age and covid didn't help. Do you think it's that?

Again some children just haven't learned the social and safety boundaries yet you just keep telling him and demonstrating what they are if he's 7 it would be more worrying.

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