Typical Two Year Old Play

[Ariana]

The parents are teachers so I get a LOT of "what color is this" or "what shape is that" constant quizzing. I am not into this type of stuff at all at this age. The child can barely talk but their main focus is on colors and letters.

I haven't really asked mom about it because she is here awake about an hour and a half each day. A lot of that time is spent eating or outside. On indoor days is when I notice it the most.

She has ZERO interest in tv or ipad so I am absolutely certain it is not that. I sometimes put the tv on for my 3 year old after lunch so I can get their beds ready/clean up etc and she will not watch and will just follow me around. I had another child like this that turned out to be deaf but I am pretty sure she is not deaf.

I think it is just a matter of very little exposure to other kids and high adult interaction and entertainment. I don't think they play with her in the typical way. I would put the toys away but my 3 year old needs everything accessible. Everything is in bins though and I pull things out for them to play with. Yesterday I brought out the farm and the animals but no interest. She has taken to a Dora backpack that she carries around but again just carries it around while following me!

I REALLY get the feeling that she may have attachment issues. She is very defiant with her mother at drop off and has hit her (according to mom). She has tried to hit me but I obviously put a stop to that. It just seems like an anxiety and inability to relax and play if I am not in the room or engaged with her. She is jealous if my 3 yr old wants cuddles. She wants all attention on her all the time.

Sounds similar to your child BlackCat. I will bring it up with mom at pickup and just tell her to encourage more independent playing at home.

[spedmommy4]

Interestingly- whether the parents are engaging her all the time or just setting the play up to be incredibly adult directed, the outcome is usually the same. You end up with a two year old who needs an adult to play all the time.

When caregiver/child play is pretty much "what's this? A dog." all the time, it creates a pattern in play that takes time to change. The two year old I have here has a delay that was made worse by her mom (a teacher) trying to fix it with adult directed play.

[Ariana]

Interestingly- whether the parents are engaging her all the time or just setting the play up to be incredibly adult directed, the outcome is usually the same. You end up with a two year old who needs an adult to play all the time.

When caregiver/child play is pretty much "what's this? A dog." all the time, it creates a pattern in play that takes time to change. The two year old I have here has a delay that was made worse by her mom (a teacher) trying to fix it with adult directed play.

Yes the constant questioning is a bit over the top and could be what is happening. Why oh why do teachers do this!

There was an article about quizzing...I will try and find it and post it in our little FB group.

[kitkat]

Yes the constant questioning is a bit over the top and could be what is happening. Why oh why do teachers do this!

There was an article about quizzing...I will try and find it and post it in our little FB group.

Could you post a link to the article here also? I would be interested in reading it.

[daycarediva]

Could you post a link to the article here also? I would be interested in reading it.

Me too! I have a new pt 3yo. She behaves similarly, and the ONLY interaction she prompts with peers is showing them something, asking a direct question and either praising or correcting them. Unfortunately (for all of us) she doesn't know most of what she is quizzing them on, so everyone else is just annoyed by it. ::

[Ariana]

Unfortunately I cannot find an article anywhere! Maybe the article doesn't exist and it's something I learned in college?!!

[Controlled Chaos]

I've had a couple 2 yr olds like this.
None of mine were screen addicts at all.

The issue mine had was that the parents played e v e r y t h i n g with them.
They literally had no idea how to play without an adult.

The other kids weren't at all interesting because an adult provided ALL interaction, introduction, ideas, etc... so of course I was the only playmate they wanted or knew what to do with.

One of mine viewed the other kids as competition to her so ANY time I played with, gave attention to or spoke to others there would be a meltdown or protest.

The other one I had just treated the other kids like they didn't exist. She'd take a toy from the group and come sit by me or she would just walk past them and beeline to me with everything. She would only acknowledge me or my DH.

Now don't get me wrong, I think quality face time with your child is awesome, beneficial and very important but in some cases and some situations too much is not so helpful for the child.

I haven't had any screen addicts, but lots of this. Luckily I have a big enough group of good players that they help teach new little ones how to play pretty quick. But its usually an exhausting first few weeks. I have one 3yo dcb you plays well on his own but is constantly checking in with me about what an awesome job he is doing Its been 3 months and he's way better, but if I'm having a grumpy day it still drives me nuts

[Blackcat31]

I haven't had any screen addicts, but lots of this. Luckily I have a big enough group of good players that they help teach new little ones how to play pretty quick. But its usually an exhausting first few weeks. I have one 3yo dcb you plays well on his own but is constantly checking in with me about what an awesome job he is doing Its been 3 months and he's way better, but if I'm having a grumpy day it still drives me nuts

"good job" seems to be an every 3-7 minute requirement.

...and even when I do get them to play WITH others or to the point of understanding what I want them to do, they simply blank out or stop the second I leave the area....

It's like the other kids either can't lead them (my one little one will NOT take cues from anyone other than an adult) or they simply don't understand that play is still happening even when the adult "coach" is not sitting right there... :confused:

[Ariana]

"good job" seems to be an every 3-7 minute requirement.

...and even when I do get them to play WITH others or to the point of understanding what I want them to do, they simply blank out or stop the second I leave the area....

It's like the other kids either can't lead them (my one little one will NOT take cues from anyone other than an adult) or they simply don't understand that play is still happening even when the adult "coach" is not sitting right there... :confused:

YES!! so much directed play going on at home. It's not even play it's everything! I am not sure what is going on with kids but I am finding it extremely difficult finding "normal" children.

[BabyMonkeys]

I have two 23m and a 17m that play with toys by themselves most of the day. I have a ridiculous amount of toys and realized that the more toys they have available, the less likely they are to actually play nicely by themselves. Right now I have 3 little people school buses, a box of blocks, 3 rocking horses, a few books and some ball pit balls out. They are MUCH happier than they were with a roomful of toys.

[spedmommy4]

Unfortunately I cannot find an article anywhere! Maybe the article doesn't exist and it's something I learned in college?!!

Maybe this one?

https://www.seattlechildrens.org/pdf/Ce043.pdf