First Time Mum is this normal for a toddler?

[abbs1]

My little boy is 18 months old and just so full of energy. He will not sit still all day apart from meals or when hes asleep for his nap. Hes constantly running round the house, the garden, or when out he doesn't want to be in his pram, he just wants to run and run.
At his play groups hes always jumping and dancing around to the music when other kids will happily sit on their parents lap (structured session). I'mjust surprised none of the other kids are running around like he does all session long. At a different unstructured play group he will find a truck or something and runs along pushing it nearly hitting into other kids playing. He won't sit for 5mins to really play with anything before hes off running up and down the room again. If I try to get him to calm down and just play he throws a huge tantrum and screams and cries and throws stuff.
He cant talk yet but claps his hands to say please if he wants something or sill point to it.

I know with being born a couple days before the firsr big lockdown has impacted how much interaction hes had with other kids etc but wasnt sure if this has made it even harder for him to adjust into.

Also hes been walking since he was 9 months old.

Is this normal for an 18 month old boy? Parents at the playgroup, and when out and about all comment on his endless energy and how advanced they think he is and are surprised when I say hes 18 months as hes so diddy for his age. Hes currently in 9-12 month clothes. He was tiny at birth.

Any reassurance would be lovely or if its something to be concerned about ant advice or tips would be helpful.

Yeah, mine got better at about 2yo but it's still a bundle of energy.

Yep, mine stopped napping at 18 months too! It's aged me.

Does he say any words at all?

Sorry cross post- as it might just be because he’s trying to express himself

Yup, normal. He'll calm down when he's three.

Yes. I never finished a cup of tea when mine were that age. It's all fine. Some are more sedentary, others are not and bolt around all their waking hours.

Mine was like that. He was walking at 9 months too

@Friendissues46

Does he say any words at all?

He says dada, mama, nana and copies when we do la la la la he will do it back. He says wow wow for dog. He fully understands everything we say.

It's normal.

Just keep him active and burn as much energy as possible. Swimming is a good energy burner and a bit more relaxing for you because they can't run around in the water 😂

Softplay also another good energy burner that's not too taxing for you if you can find one that is age appropriate.

Seems well within normal. Maybe look for baby gym or dance and sing rather than the more structured seated classes. We try to create quiet time reading time at home to encourage some sitting but it's hard work!

@NuffSaidSam

It's normal.

Just keep him active and burn as much energy as possible. Swimming is a good energy burner and a bit more relaxing for you because they can't run around in the water 😂

I want to take him swimming but scared he will crawl under the cubicle and run off! 🙈😂 I will see if we can go one weekend when my husband can come to see how he goes and then try just me and him.

Yup, normal. He'll calm down when he's three

Ha, I came on to say that my 3 year old is exactly the same. His language and social skills are fine AFAIK, nursery are happy with his progress. He's just very high energy!

A lot of pools will have family changing with some method of stopping kids escaping. Often a tiny, baby jail!

Swimming is great, I arrive swim ready and take Snacks for afterwards, that distracts him long enough for me to get dressed

Sounds like my ds when he was the same age.

Even now at 7 he is described as a continuous ball of energy.

@TheLovleyChebbyMcGee

Swimming is great, I arrive swim ready and take Snacks for afterwards, that distracts him long enough for me to get dressed

Yes! Snacks also essential to keep them still long enough for you to get changed.

Hi op, my ds is, very similar, but just wanted to say at about 20 months (he's 21cmonths now) something amazing started... We got him a playmobile farm and one day he got it out actually sat and played... For like 20 mins! We got him a fire station off ebay for cheap and also got my old brio train set from the loft and he loves them, he now alternates between wild running about and sitting and playing with Bob (all of his figures are called Bob, apparently 😂) He still prefers running about to slides, swings etc and I've basically given up on structured groups until he's older!

It's on the active side of normal. Mine could barely walk at that age so they were happier to stay with me in New situations, but I've definitely known lots of kids like that.

Not sure about them calming down at three though :o my three year old is a maniac and he was quite quiet at that age!

My 18 month old is exactly the same. My eldest was like this too. She's now 4 and exactly the same. She does not stop.

Thank you everyone for the tips, advice etc. Glad I'm not alone.

Oh fab idea re snacks for after swimming. Thats the only time he stops for 2mins! 😂

He has some puzzles he will sit and do but he knows them well and does them in a couple minutes. They are meant for 2years+

I'm gonna look for some more stimulating toys that he needs to concentrate with for Christmas and see if that helps. He has 2 wooden trucks with little people he gives them rides round the house so that keeps him occupied for a bit. He has a train with the big duplo he can stack onto the train cars etc. I think he just needs something maybe for 2-4yr olds that he needs time to figure out to keep him occupied longer.

I had one like this. Totally normal.

The other two are quite sedate so having a Tasmanian Devil for a third was a surprise!

Balance bike or a trike with a handle are good guys. DS2 has loved his ride on car from that age as well. We have a Bobby car which is brilliant. It must be on about its tenth kid and still going strong.

@BertieBotts

Balance bike or a trike with a handle are good guys. DS2 has loved his ride on car from that age as well. We have a Bobby car which is brilliant. It must be on about its tenth kid and still going strong.

We got him a little trike for his first birthday. Hes run that to ruin from so much use so I need to get him another one! He loves trikes! I will have a look at a Bobby Car

My eldest was exactly like this. He used to seem wild in comparison to kids his age at playgroups etc. Contrary to other people's experiences swimming was never that successful at toddler age, he just used to get frustrated that he couldn't walk etc. We went to soft play most days, had a membership at our nearest. He started to calm down from around 2y3m (which was also when first lockdown hit, thank god) when his language and problem solving improved. He's pretty delightful now at 3y9m, still high energy when he wants to be but can be tired out mentally just as successfully as physically now with puzzles etc. Asks questions ALL the time, it's like he's exploring constantly with questions rather than physically exploring. Have you tried a scooter? DS took to one immediately at around 19m and was so happy doing that.