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Original poster

Role Play - when is too much a problem

19 replies

Chargertest · 17/04/2018 17:27

Hi
My son who is just over 2 and a half years old is constantly being someone else, either a character from a book, tv or film. It's 100% of his play. He doesn't play with toys etc he just wants to reenact stuff or he will role play being at nursery or a group. At first I thought it was just normal as other people said their kids do this but I'm realising they dip in and out of it and with my child it's constant. Even when I take him to a play centre, park etc he's always role playing. Any advice? Anyone been in a similar position? Don't want to overreact but it is concerning me

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Greenyogagirl · 17/04/2018 17:29

Did you mention it at 2yr check up? I’d request a referral to a paediatrician

Original poster
Chargertest · 17/04/2018 17:31

I did but the HV said it's quite normal for his age. I don't feel he quite understood that it was the only play he does

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Greenyogagirl · 17/04/2018 17:32

What does he do if you don’t join in with his role play, is he ever just himself?

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Original poster
Chargertest · 17/04/2018 17:34

We are only now starting to say we can play that another time, why don't we do something else but even when I try to distract him, he's that character doing that activity if you know what I mean?

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pinkpantsrock · 17/04/2018 17:37

he may turn into the world greatest actor when he grows up! but on serious note, if your worried then speak with Dr or health visitor and if you don't get anywhere /still concerned try and go private

lattewith3shotsplease · 17/04/2018 17:40

My Gs has just turned 5 and he's done this since he could walk.
He loves dressing up and being super heroes. He has an amazing imagination (maybe a future actor)

When we go to the park he always ends up with other children, running in a line being super heroes.

Oh,and he also does the different voices ,very deep ones Grin

Embrace his personality and don't try to change it.
Childhood doesn't last that long.....Sad

Original poster
Chargertest · 17/04/2018 17:45

Does he do it from waking up to bedtime? Does he play in any other way or just role play?

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CloudCaptain · 17/04/2018 17:51

Surely it's just what he likes/prefers to do. My ds prefers to play with cars and trains all day. Not interested in role play at all. So much so he gets upset if it's suggested and claims he is Dave*, not such and such. (name changed to protect identity).
Ds2 loves dancing and singing and joins in with TV shows and playgroups. Ds1 hates this too.
Just embrace it. Join him up to local Am Dram group.

Original poster
Chargertest · 17/04/2018 17:54

I just find it a bit concerning that it's all he wants to do, irrespective of where we are...-at home, someone's house, outside etc. I feel like I don't know him, what he likes etc as he's always someone else

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Greenyogagirl · 17/04/2018 18:00

If his name is George, doesn’t he answer to it or do you have to call him Ironman or whatever?
Does he role play all day?

Motherwell91 · 17/04/2018 18:07

My daughter is 5 and from morning till night is in some sort of role. currently she is a camper camping in a big dark forest. But she litrally goes from one to the next. School have no concerns and have said that her imaginative play is not a concern. Às long as he is happy for other children to join in i wouldn't worry. But I completely understand why you are worried. Hope this helps

Original poster
Chargertest · 17/04/2018 18:08

I will say hi 'name' and he will say I'm not 'name' I'm a witch or someone from nursery etc etc. He imitates what those people do. So he changes character but he's always a character, very rarely himself

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Greenyogagirl · 17/04/2018 18:10

Personally I’d ask for a referral to a paediatrician, it doesn’t seem stereotypical behaviour to me

DearMrDilkington · 17/04/2018 18:10

How long has he been doing this for?

waterrat · 17/04/2018 18:20

what on earth would a paediatrican know ? They are doctors they deal with medical issues.

I don't have much faith in HV's however - if you are genuinely concerned I would look on google for a good highly trained child psychologist who is local to you and see what they think.

Greenyogagirl · 17/04/2018 18:28

Paediatricians deal with mental health issues in children and will be able to do an assessment to see if it’s a normal thing or a concern

Original poster
Chargertest · 17/04/2018 18:44

He's probably been doing it for about 6 + months. If we go to a music group for example, he then pretends to be the music teacher for the rest of that day and the following day and so on. Like I say I try and do different activities but he will always be a character doing that activity. I think it's hard to express how constant it is to someone without them seeing it day in day out. He's a very anxious child, I don't know if that has any bearing

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Trygowithflow · 18/04/2018 10:48

My dd is 7 and does this a lot, always has. She avidly watches programs on repeat and memorises words and voices (has an American accent thanks to Disney!) She is developmentally normal but did have concerns as never played with toys in traditional way. Obviously get him checked if stil worried but some children find comfort and fun in their internal world. Xx

Dandybelle · 18/04/2018 11:35

If he's a very anxious child it might be a coping mechanism, e.g it's easier to be X than it is to be himself.

Agree that you should discuss with someone though to get to the bottom of it.

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