Always trying to do two things at the same time....argh!

[Laurajay84]

DS, almost 3, has developed the habit within the last week of having to do two things at once all of the time. If he's reading a book then he will have to be picking up small toys whilst he's reading, sometimes he will be flicking through two books at once. It's as if just doing one thing at a time isn't interesting enough for him any more. Not sure whether this is something that will quickly pass or whether I should be trying to nip it in the bud. I find him quite difficult when trying to do an activity with him as he always has his eye on doing something else at the same time. Not sure what to do?

ZZZZ I don't find it ideal - multi-tasking is a great thing to be able to do in the right context. The way he is doing it though is, for instance, putting in a jigsaw piece, turning a page, putting in another piece, turning a page. Also, turning a page, finding a small toy, turning a page, finding a small toy, etc. He's just not concentrating on anything properly for the sake of doing two things at once.

ZZZZZ The 'caring what other people think' boat sailed a long time ago. Any question I ask is to help and encourage my son to lead the most happy and productive life he can. This is just a behaviour that has popped up recently and I was concerned that it doesn't allow him to focus on either task he is doing properly.

I do think at not yet 3, I wouldn't worry too much about this. Unless the behaviour is dangerous to himself or other people, just let it go. Maybe follow his lead when doing an activity together. There's no need to be concentrating on a single task at 2.

Thanks, ZZZZ. Well, really the concern is that before he would do one thing at a time and put his full concentration on that activity. Now he seems to not be focusing on anything but just constantly multitasking like he simply cannot just do one thing.

Melawati Thanks, I know he is still very young but it jut seems like a huge step back to me.

I agree but I'm a bit lost as to what the motivation is. It certainly isn't ALL the time but tends to involve books - either flipping the pages in the book whilst playing with toys or the opposite, picking up a toy on every page whilst reading a book.

I think I'm finding it difficult and it seems like a step back because the past two weeks previously he has had a bit of a development spurt - playing with toys alot more, doing actions to songs, using hand gestures, and the biggest one is that he has gone from being very quiet to 'chatting' away and babbling like he is trying to talk. We have been over the moon with these recent developments

My DD is the same polter. Distraction (if a certain kind) helps her concentrate.
In the context you describe, I still wouldn't worry, OP. It sounds like he's trying out lots of new things/new ways of doing things and experimenting, which must be lots of fun