The "What" Child

[Lyss]

I've had many of the "why" children over the years and have been able to handle it but I currently I have a DCG (nearly 4) that is driving me crazy because after everything I say her reply is always "what?" I'm constantly repeating myself and if I ignore her she just continues to repeat it over and over while getting louder and louder.

I know she's understanding what I'm saying because she will do what I've asked but even while doing it she's asking "what?" the whole time until I repeat it. I have to repeat things 2-3 times before she will stop asking.

Also it's not just when I'm asking her to do something she doesn't want to do(I remember pretending not to hear when asked to do something I didn't want to do, or asking "what?" like I didn't hear to give me time to formulate an excuse ), its literally nearly anything I say.

I thought maybe she actually did mean "why" so I would try to explain the "why" and she just cuts me off with "what?"

How would you handle this?

[cheerfuldom]

address it like any other inappropriate behavior. do you do timeouts? loss of privilege? at this point it is getting disruptive and you dont want the other kids to pick up this habit. also, give her an alternative of what she can say. role play with giving her a task and her responding appropriately. I know its old school but my kids (daycare and bio) are taught to say yes mam when given an instruction.

[Hunni Bee]

address it like any other inappropriate behavior. do you do timeouts? loss of privilege? at this point it is getting disruptive and you dont want the other kids to pick up this habit. also, give her an alternative of what she can say. role play with giving her a task and her responding appropriately. I know its old school but my kids (daycare and bio) are taught to say yes mam when given an instruction.

I agree. My new kids always answer "what" and basically its been accepted. They're sweet and mannerable as they can be otherwise, so I just correct it. Of they say "what?" I'll just say, "It's 'yes'", until they say it, then I'll continue you on with whatever I needed to tell them.