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4 yr old zones out at pre-school

7 replies

Musomama1 · 25/05/2023 17:12

Hi, thanks in advance if there are any replies.

Nursery staff have reported my 4:year old zoning out for long periods of time at pre school and not listening/ being in a world of his own.

He's been going there for years, no change of routine except new baby, school start looming and being a bit tearful again recently on drop off he has 3 x 6 hour days. Some of my family think he is there too much and he's just having enough.

Friend recommending I push for SEN assessment if there are red flags being waved.

At home, yes he daydreams at times but he seems totally normal, engaged and switched on! Can dress himself, amazing talker, toilet trained etc. Has lots of friends.

Not sure what to do or to do anything, any advice?

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Just2MoreSeasons · 25/05/2023 17:19

I don't want to worry you but absence seizures (epilepsy) spring to mind. Can you film on when he does it at home and then show his GP your recording?

Musomama1 · 25/05/2023 17:22

Just2MoreSeasons · 25/05/2023 17:19

I don't want to worry you but absence seizures (epilepsy) spring to mind. Can you film on when he does it at home and then show his GP your recording?

My friend mentioned this, I'll have a word to the staff and be mindful of if it happens with me. He has febrile convulsions in the hot weather.

OP posts:
Tanith · 02/06/2023 23:32

Can he remember anything while he was zoned out?
If he has no memory, it could indicate epilepsy.
Daydreaming would be more likely that he's bored, particularly if he's a bright child.

Musomama1 · 03/06/2023 15:28

Tanith · 02/06/2023 23:32

Can he remember anything while he was zoned out?
If he has no memory, it could indicate epilepsy.
Daydreaming would be more likely that he's bored, particularly if he's a bright child.

I think he's daydreaming, and it's hard to snap him out and get his attention. When he's at home I just kind of loudly get his attention but lately he hasn't been doing this at home, seems fine

They are giving me more information about it though as I don't quite fully understand what they are saying yet.

Personally I wonder if he's bored but there's no harm in at least getting him checked out.

OP posts:
Mummydxb · 05/07/2023 21:23

Thanks in advance. DS has mild language delay and he is a bit determined in his ways. Still a very happy and kind boy. He is 3 and 8 months. One of private school where his brother goes had his sibling place confirmed and we went for play and stay for 2 hours the other day. 2 days later I arranged a transition call with nursery to give them all info and the next day they called us to say they can’t support him and kind of let’s see in a few months! I was obviously very disappointed - isn’t it illegal to reject someone without any interaction on the grounds of dis-ability and that too of a 3 year old, 2 months from when he is starting school. How truly horrendous is it.

Tanith · 06/07/2023 09:41

No harm at all in getting him checked and it will quickly establish if there is a concern.

My DS did this when he was a little older than yours. He's very bright, and I didn't understand why his teacher told me that, if she hadn't known, she'd have had him down as Special Needs because he didn't answer her immediately and seemed remote.
I spoke to him and he told me that he was imagining he was at the golf course (he was obsessed with watching golf at the time!) and he was just taking a tricky shot before he answered her Grin

In other words, he was so bored, and so good at daydreaming, he was almost absent!!

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