Lately, I've been a bit worried about Pattu. It has always been a bit difficult to get her to do one thing at a time, get her to complete her tasks, hold her interest for more than 15 mins and so on - any parenting guide would sound out an alarm at these signs (and every other parent would tell you that her kid is exactly the same). Add to it the occasional temper tantrums, hyper activity, talking to invisible friends or sometimes inanimate objects, not answering/ responding etc. Well!
As though these weren't enough, Pattu has been writing mirror images. She still hasn't chosen one hand over the other - she uses both hands equally. I'm not sure if I should be worried yet. Her school reports are normal though - apparently, she is obedient and well behaved, grasps reasonably well, etc.
But still...is it ok for a 3 yr old to smile at and have conversations with the street light that she can see through our bedroom window? My bro says that says a lot about how interesting she finds our company!
Guess I'll just wait ... though I can't entirely quit worrying...
14 comments:
I have been reading your posts but first time to comment..I do not think you should worry too much...My first born too has some quirks like repeating stuff endlessly , even when he lies down to sleep ..He did that even before he could strike a conversation till age 3+. Now he talks a lot in addition to the repetition. So I think it is a matter of time when he will just talk and stop the repetition :-)
Has she started writing already?? if she writing mirror images, it's not much of a concern. sometimes the kids would have traced letters upside down!!
When it comes to talking to things, it's quite natural for a child of her age to do so. Don't we read stories where animals, clouds and trees talk?? That's the message the child gets!!
What's Pattu's diet like?? Is she on chocolate flavored health drinks or high sugar foods?? Does she get enough exclusive outdoor time?? like engage in a minimum of one hour outdoor time in the evenings or mornings at a park or terrace without your interference??
Don't worry. Nattu also has these conversations with her dolls and her teddy bear. Sometimes she makes me say stuff to her teddy bear. I am pretty sure Pattu will grow out of this phase soon.
oh it is VERY normal.. i still have conversations with trees and say sorry to the doors and stuff that i hit :-)
On a more serious note, imaginary friends are ok for kids as old as 9 or so, so dont worry.
I donno when it exactly stops :), But Jillu does it as well ! she talks to her dolls, coconut for god's sake and sundry other things :).
I dont think need to worry yet ! :) Enjoy it while it lasts and then when it stops, you will miss it :)
momo does it too, but she is abt a year younger than pattu. so guess its ok. am sure pattu too will grow out of this in time. dont get so anxious. All izz well. :)
Have sent u a mail.
Aryan appears to be the same...he also has started imagining many stuffs..I guess it is normal
Aryan's mom
Deepa - Welcome to the comment space :). I know quirks are really a part of childhood. For all you know them kids think we are mad!
Pattu also speaks in her sleep, guess that's ok
UmaNaren - Not very serious writing...we are just about trying out alphabets that use the standing, sleeping and slanting lines. I've also heard that some kids do things like writing upside down and mirror images when they are bored. No, she doesn't have too much sugar - in fact she is not even fond of jam and the likes and she doesn't drink more than 1 glass of milk (maxx) per day. And she spends atleast 2 hours outdoors - running, jumping, cycling and all of that...
rrmom - yeah, I guess...should put that out of my mind... but streetlight??
HDWK - That's soooo reassuring... thanks!
Lavanya - :) quite true - maybe I'll miss it when it stops...
Momo's ma - true..All izzz welll
Jayashree - thanks :) Saw your mail...
Aryan's mom - yup, yup... all the above comments lead us to think so...
No, let me try and be normal.. Thanks to you all - it feels so comforting to have you all tell me it's ok...
I'm a regular reader of ur blog. But commenting for the first time. My kids is 4+ yrs now. She is writing mirror images of alphabets and numbers. I enquired in school. They said, itz normal. So, dont worry.
Anonymous - Thanks so much! I also checked some expert sites and figured out that it is quite ok till about age 5.
My first visit, came here from Art's.
Talking to imaginary playmates is quite normal and more so for only children. But even kids with older siblings and living in a joint family do it I am told. I think its actually a good way for them to practise speech, grammar... and get all those thoughts and ideas that are crowding their heads out. And about writing letters upside down - P isn't really writing yet, he is just under-3, but when he started recognising the alphabet, he would look at H and say I. And lowercase b he thought was P. I think its because for them it is pattern recognition, they don't look at things in a fixed way. Just like they don't have preconceived notions and bring in a fresh perspective to everything.
And I remember that I wrote the mirror image of B for a very long time :) The reason I remember is that everyone made such a big issue out of it! And I turned out just fine, so don't you worry
Aryan has imaginary versions of his school mates with him all the time. He takes them on ride in car, keeps them on his pillow , talk to them all the time.
Arundhati - Oh, I now remember that even Pattu used to get confused between 9 and 6 and w and m... And I can imagine your plight - awareness was even lower those days
Swati - Yeah, I realise that a lot of kids have imaginary conversations. It gets a bit tough when she wants me to interact with her imaginary friends though :D
Post a Comment